Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) has confirmed the departure of Jens Marquardt who heads to BMW where he will replace Mario Theissen as Motorsport Director. Marquardt, 43, will leave his position at the end of the year.

"While we are naturally sad to lose Jens, we can understand why this was an opportunity he felt he had to take and we wish him the very best for his future," said TMG President Yoshiaki Kinoshita. "As well as his valued contribution to our Formula 1 project from beginning to end, Jens has played a key role in TMG's emergence as a leading provider of high-performance engineering services and we are very grateful for his efforts.

"TMG has been aware of Jens' decision for some time. We are taking steps to strengthen our structure and ensure we can build on a very positive first year for TMG as a service supplier."

After more than 12 years as head of BMW Motorsport is in the offing. On 30 June 2011, BMW Motorsport Director, Theissen will work alongside Marquardt for the first six months of the year as he familiarises himself with his new task.

Theissen first joined BMW on 15 June 1977 as a development engineer. He took on various responsibilities in engine development before going on to run the BMW Innovation Centres in Munich and Palo Alto. Theissen has been in charge of BMW's motor sport programme since 1 April 1999.

"We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully," said Theissen. "With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favour of the DTM project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out. Now is also the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task and I look forward to our time working together. On 1 July 2011 he will be perfectly equipped to take over the reins."

"Heading up BMW Motorsport is a dream job for me and a tremendous show of confidence," added Marquardt. "The endurance events with the BMW M3, the broad-based customer sport programme, the promotion of junior racing talent, and above all the DTM project are all fascinating challenges. I know that Mario Theissen will support me in every way and I can hardly wait to get down to work."

After a degree in aerospace technology, Marquardt turned to a career in engine development. From 1996 to 2000 he worked for Ilmor Engineering on the development of Formula One and CART engines. He joined Toyota Motorsport in 2000, initially working in the Formula One engine department, and then from 2008 as F1 Operations and Team Manager. His most recent post was as General Manager Business Development, Operations & Production.