Toyota Threaten To Pull-out Of F1

[balli hi]

Quote " Toyota say they will not enter Formula 1 next year unless new rules published by the governing body are changed.

The FIA recently unveiled plans to encourage teams to operate within a £40m budget cap from 2010.

Toyota F1 boss John Howett said: "If nothing changes, we won't be submitting an entry. I don't think that's a unique opinion among other competitors."

Howett, who is vice-chairman of Fota, said Toyota, who have yet to win a race since their debut in 2002 despite having an annual budget estimated at about £200m, wanted a level playing field.

"I think it's very clear that with a double-tier championship, you have to go for the £40m cap because the (capped) cars will be quicker," he said.

"As a corporation it's not only budget, it's about the value of Formula 1. And we think the double tier series is not the right direction."

"The regulations were announced but if you read the regulations, there is a proper process that should be followed and our understanding is that that hasn't been done," he said.

"There are a number of issues that need to be clarified before we can enter."

Howett said Toyota, who also provide Williams with engines, would like to remain in Formula 1 but had alternatives.

"We have social issues with our people," he said. "A £40m budget means that we would have to make a huge number of people redundant.

"And there are other categories that we could consider where we may be able to operate in a completely different manner.

"We would love to stay here and we want to compete in the premier level of motorsport. But I think it has to be said that given the current situation as we stand, it is impossible to submit an entry."

See link for full report http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/8042267.stm

[duncerduncs]

Now confirmed that Toyota will withdraw from F1 with immediate effect :(

From Autosport's website:

Toyota has announced that it is to pull out of Formula 1 with immediate effect.

The Japanese car company revealed its surprise decision in a news conference in Tokyo today following an earlier board meeting. It said the current economic situation had prompted its departure.

"Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula 1 world championship at the end of the 2009 season," said a Toyota statement.

"TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year.

"However, when considering TMC's motorsports actitives next year and beyond from a comprehensive mid-term viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1"

There had been doubts about Toyota's F1 future after the company reported its first ever operating loss in March, and given the departures of fellow manufacturers Honda and BMW. Toyota had also pulled its Fuji track, which hosted the 2007 and 2008 Japanese Grands Prix, from the calendar, and its customer team Williams decided to end its engine deal a year early.

But Toyota signed the new Concorde Agreement, committing it to the world championship through 2012, and team boss John Howett was adamant that the squad would be on the grid in 2010, although there were hints of a reduced budget.

The team had been pressing ahead with 2010 preparations - approaching big name drivers including Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica, and talking of signing impressive stand-in Kamui Kobayashi for next year as recently as last weekend. Current drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock had already been expected to move on.

"TMC also wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to all Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers to date and to all Toyota Motorsport GmbH employees who have helped make the team's achievements possible," said the statement.

"TMC intends to do its best to find a solution for those parties who will be affected by any inconvenience this decision may cause."

Toyota entered F1 in 2002, and was tipped to swiftly become a championship challenger given its huge budget and resources. But it failed to win a race and has just three pole positions, 13 podium finishes, and a best result of fourth in the 2005 constructors' standings to show for its 139 grands prix.

The departure of Toyota is set to throw the former BMW Sauber team a lifeline, as the Hinwil squad and its new owners had been relying on another team dropping out in order to claim the final spot in next season's expanded 26-car entry.

Renault is also holding an extraordinary board meeting to discuss its future plans today. Although the indications are that the French company is committed to F1, Toyota's decision to pull out could give Renault an opportunity to follow suit if it wished.

Toyota added that it would continue to use its F1 experience in "developing exciting production vehicles" and that it would remain involved in motor racing, albeit at a lower level.

"In motorsports, [Toyota] will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motorsports by supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate."

[Norfolk n Chance]

"A £40m budget means that we would have to make a huge number of people redundant"

So instead of making a few redundancies lets make everybody redundant....

Surely, with an annual budget of £200m, Toyota could've stayed in F1 with a £40m budget and used the remaining £160m to enter another motorsport?? Rallying perhaps???

[JappyBeast]

Defo no chance of getting the Toyota F1 GB Team to attend JAE then!!!!

[Bibbs]

Who *really* cares?

Never won a GP, never looked like coming close.

Has no links to their boring hybrid road cars (the F1 car didn't even have KERS FFS).

The new "Supra" was planned to celebrate their first F1 win, it never happened. On both counts.

The WRC is now full of cars you can't buy (unlike the old GT4, Evo, Imprezza era). So can't go back there easily.

Le Mans could be an idea, but Toyota don't have an uber diesel and that's all that wins now days (forget all the lower classes - they don't count)?

Super GT - well, they never really left.

But what current road car can you drive out the forecourt and race (and no Lexus ISF's)?

Even the BTCC have banned RWD for next year I'd read.

[PaulT]

It might have been a better idea to join F1 initially as an engine supplier, as the engines seemed to be pretty good. Get a feel for it before blowing loads of cash on the full team.

Unfortunately they took a big risk and it didn't really pay off. And now there are fewer other manufacturers in F1 to beat, so why bother.

Paul.

[Danny_TTE_compressor]

Ha HA ha HA ha! I think its fantastic for a car company to drop a b@llock like this, They advertised in nearly every dealership that their aim was to one day take the constructors title in F1 and now look at em, years after they have achieved so little they are looking for an escape route! Dont talk the talk if you cant walk the walk mr T.

Anyway what has been the point of Toyota in F1, they have no sports cars to use the F1 Badge like Mclaren/Merc , they dont have a strong sports brand identity amongst the young like renault and renauultsport. But the moment they start to consider a sports car (that new corolla celica subaru thing) they threaten to pull out of the only major motorsport they race in! How the hell is this the richest car company in the world!!!

[Manxrav]

Makes you wonder how shrud Merc are with them buying Brawn GP. As long as they don,t pull out of DTM. If only they would give Gary Paffit a go!!!!

Regards Clare