Mitsubishi Motors Appoints Mario Fornaris As New FIA WRC Technical Director

In line with the recent reorganization of its motor sports activities and the pause decided for the 2003 FIA WRC season, Mitsubishi Motors announces today the appointment of Mario Fornaris as Technical Director at Ralliart Europe, its FIA WRC team. Effective January 1st, 2003, he will assume full engineering responsibility.

Sven Quandt - new head of Mitsubishi motor sports activities - said: "We are turning around our World Rally Championship organization like Mitsubishi Motors is turning itself around. With the appointment of Mario Fornaris, we are showing how serious we take our return to the top of the sport. "

Born in Turin ( Italy ) and a graduate of the Turin Polytechnic, Mario Fornaris will bring ten years of motor sports experience and expertise to Ralliart Europe. With respect to the goal set by the Team of a successful return in 2004, his last assignment with the current World Champion will be of major significance.

Commenting on his appointment, Mario Fornaris said: "It is good to be joining a manufacturer with a deep-rooted engineering and motor sports tradition like Mitsubishi Motors. I also admire their courage at tackling challenges with a radical approach."

Under the umbrella motor sports organization announced on November 22nd, Ralliart Europe will continue to work closely with Mitsubishi Motors R&D in Japan. However, the driving force for the 2003 development program will shift towards the team led by Mario Fornaris, based in Rugby ( United Kingdom ).