Dino Toso
Dino Toso | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 11, 1969 |
| Died | August 13, 2008 (aged 39) |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, Aerodynamicist |
| Known for | Director of Aerodynamics at Renault Formula One team |
Dino Vittorio Marcellinus Toso (11 February 1969 – 13 August 2008) was an engineer of Italian-Dutch descent who held the position of Director of Aerodynamics at the Renault Formula One team until June .
Career
Toso pursued studies in automotive design and electronics at Apeldoorn Technical College, then advanced to automotive engineering and earned a master's degree specializing in aerodynamics and flight from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. His early career included work at the Netherlands Aerospace Centre until 1995, after which he joined BMW’s GT racing division. In , he transitioned to Jordan F1 as a race engineer, playing a part in the team’s inaugural victory at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix with driver Damon Hill. By 2000, he was responsible for engineering Jarno Trulli’s car, a collaboration that later continued at Renault.
In , Toso followed Mike Gascoyne to Benetton, which was rebranded as Renault in . He succeeded John Iley as Chief Aerodynamicist by the end of . Toso was instrumental in Trulli’s triumph at the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix and spearheaded aerodynamic development for the championship-winning Renault R25 and R26 vehicles. His leadership contributed to Renault achieving consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, amassing seventeen Grand Prix wins—fourteen with Fernando Alonso, two with Giancarlo Fisichella, and one with Trulli. Due to health concerns, he stepped down in June 2008.
Personal life
Married to Nathalie, Toso was a father to a daughter named Isabella. After receiving a cancer diagnosis in 2004, he remained active professionally throughout his treatment; however, the disease was ultimately terminal. He retired in June 2008 and passed away two months later at 39 years old. His funeral drew prominent attendees such as Flavio Briatore, Eddie Jordan, and Damon Hill.