As a long-time Renault F1 fan, I was sad to read today of the death of Dino Toso, former aero chief at the French team, based not far from me in the Cotswolds. Dino was taken by the big C a few months short of his 40th birthday.
When my brother-in-law lost his battle back in 2001, he had everything going his way, and to me was on the verge of greatness. My sister has gone on to achieve spectacular things in his name, but how he would have enjoyed being part of what they have now - it is absolutely tremendous. The same can also be said for my brother-in-law in the US, whose attitude and outlook does credit to the the memory of his beautiful wife Sarah.
I’m by no means a morbid individual, but when you read obits for people like Dino, David and Sarah, with so much talent and their whole lives ahead of them, the randomness of death is the hardest thing to take. So we remember to live every day to the full: feed the senses, make your mark and love each other, these are the things that matter.
Farewell Dino, and if you see our folks on your travels, tell them they are still very much loved and missed by all us all. Here are a few words by Stephen English on Dino, one of the great racing creatives of recent times:
Former Renault F1 director of aerodynamics Dino Toso died this morning aged just 39, after a long illness.
The Italian was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 but continued his work at Renault throughout his treatment as the team won the 2005 and 2006 drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.
He left his position with the team in June this year and passed away peacefully at his home earlier today.
Toso’s first work in motorsport was on BMW’s GT programme in 1995 where he worked as an engineer before moving to the Jordan Grand Prix team in 1997.
He moved to Renault at the end of the 2000 season to work with former Jordan colleague Mike Gascoyne and was promoted to chief aerodynamicist in 2003.
A statement from the Renault F1 team said: “His contribution to the team, both through his results and his courage in the face of illness, are an inspiration. He will be missed enormously and the immediate thoughts of the whole team are with his family.”
