Jun.18 (GMM) A significant figure will be missing from the Toyota pitwall as the 2008 season continues at Magny Cours this weekend.

Team boss Tadashi Yamashina, who this time last year replaced his Japanese countryman Tsutomu Tomita in the role, will be attending a Toyota stockholders meeting in Tokyo rather than watching the action trackside in France.

"Actually there was a long discussion because I really, really want to be in France," he said.

"I am sorry to miss this race but I will watch everything from Magny Cours on TV. I will be supporting the team from a distance and calling the team members regularly to find out how we are doing," he insisted.