Toso came from the aerospace industry and started his career in motorsports in 1995 with BMW's GT program before being picked up by Jordan Grand Prix in 1997. He then moved with Mike Gascoyne to Renault in 2000, where he remained until this year, playing a central role in the back-to-back drivers' and constructors' titles which the team won in 2005 and 2006. He was named Aerodynamicist of the Year in 2005. In a statement released earlier, fellow Italian Flavio Briatore noted, "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."

Dino passed away at the young age of 39 on Wednesday morning. Our condolences go out to his friends, family and colleagues.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty]

RIP: Dino Toso, 1969-2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.