Charges issued to Toyota employees - 16th January 20:53pm GMT

German investigators have filed charges against three former Toyota Motorsport officials suspected of using technology stolen from Ferrari to test racing car aerodynamics, Cologne prosecutors said on Monday.

The officials are accused of violating German competition law by using a data analysis programme brought over by a technician who joined the Toyota Formula One team from Ferrari in early 2002, the prosecutors said in a statement.

The Toyota officials used the programme in 2002 and 2003 to develop race cars even though they knew the software had been obtained illegally, the statement said.

"Separate investigations into the former Ferrari staff member are being conducted in Italy and by Cologne prosecutors," it added.

In a statement, a Toyota spokeswoman said the company had taken note of the development.

"The three people in question, as verbally divulged by the Cologne authorities today, are Ove Andersson (former vice-chairman and team principal), Gustav Brunner (former chief designer) and Rene Hilhorst (former head of aerodynamics)," the statement said.

"Toyota Motorsport has not been formally notified of the above matter and does not have full knowledge of the specific issues. Toyota Motorsport would like to stress that the charges have not been brought against the company," it added.

"For this reason, Toyota wishes to refrain from further comment, but remains confident that the situation will be resolved with a positive conclusion for those involved."

The charges were lodged in December. A Cologne court that specialises in economic crimes will hear the case, but prosecutors did not give a date for the trial.