Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'

03 November 2009 / Results

Toyota is about to pull out of Formula 1, Japanese newspaper Mainichi reports. According to the paper, the Japanese manufacturer will host a press conference on November 8th, where the decision will be made public.

Toyota is set to have an important meeting in which the future of the Formula 1 project will be discussed, and the prospects aren't good. Toyota hasn't had that craved first victory this year, although the team has made a big step forward after last season. With the manufacturer suffering badly from the current economic crisis, the millions spent in the Formula 1 project could very well be used for other issues.

If Toyota indeed pulls out, it would be bad news for rookie Kamui Kobayashi, who made a very good impression in the two races in which he replaced the injured Timo Glock. After a sixth place in Abu Dhabi, he looked set for a drive in 2010. It could also mean good news for the former BMW team, who are looking to get a spot on the grid for next year, which they could take over from Toyota.

Anyways, that's sucks, especially for Kobayashi. At least Sauber will have a spot on the grid.

Quote, originally posted by kfzmeister »

None of this is official, yet!

Just has.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80003

Quote »

Toyota to pull out of Formula 1 By Matt Beer Wednesday, November 4th 2009, 08:13 GMT Toyota has announced that it is to pull out of Formula 1 with immediate effect, according to unconfirmed reports coming out of Japan. The Japanese car company is reported to have 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. 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 driver Kamui Kobayashi for next year as recently as last weekend. Current drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock had already been expected to move on. 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.

Sad.

I remember reading an article about the downside of the manufacturers buying up existing teams a few years ago. It author basically said, it doesn't guarantee security. They could just leave when things don't suit them. And it's happening right now.

I'm sure the impact of a manufacturer leaving F1 would be different if they just stuck to supplying engines.

And lets be honest...Renault probably won't be in it past 2012 if they make it that far.

This sucks.

2010 Formula 1 Season:

Go Robert Kubica and Renault!!!
Also, go USF1!!!

Quote, originally posted by mx5er »

Huh...huh...huy...you said "pull out".

Wow, who knew we had 13 y/o F1 fans posting in this forum.

Would suck if Toyota pulls out, but it's a very real sign of how tough the business environment is in the global economy these days.

Who is member # 726?

Quote, originally posted by Anthony@VWVortex »

Excuse me, that high school chick picked me up. It's totally different.

PSN: dmang007

Toyota have put mega mega funding into that operation and the car is on the verge of being right at the front. Just like Honda, although that car was LESS competitive

If the right person got hold of it, surely it is a prepackaged race winning outfit??

Briatore F1 anyone?

Lewis Hamilton
2010 comeback tour.

Congratulations Ben Spies. US WORLD superbike champion

Quote, originally posted by Uk in NY »

Briatore F1 anyone?

PSN: dmang007

I wonder if the new teams are pissed they couldn't have just stepped in and taken over BMW or Toyota instead of starting new operations from scratch.

"Fill it with petroleum distillate, and re-vulcanize my tires, post-haste!"

Anyways, maybe the Toyota people are going to stick to where they shine: making Camrys, Corollas and Lexuses.

LOL!!

-My real name is Miserlygrinch Snippyshorts, but you can easily call me Snippyshorts and I'll respond.

newey f1 ? is that even possible ? who was the bmw guy that is out of a job now, theissen ? even briatore might be able to fund a team and keep his distance...

the car lounge daily trivia game, everyone is welcome !

"Fill it with petroleum distillate, and re-vulcanize my tires, post-haste!"

Doubt it. NASCAR is a drop in the bucket compared to F1 as far as funding is concerned.

The Toyota F1 project has been a disaster for them since it's inception. They are consistently spending at the high end of any team and have very few positives from that money spent. This shows that you cannot apply rigid corporate philosophies to F1. It just doesn't work. It has some to do about money, but more about having the right people. Brawn is the perfect example. It is the same team as Honda, just under new leadership.

Sauber better get the final spot on the grid (assuming their backers are legit) and Todt not pull some crap political move like Mosely would.

Well, they actually win races in NASCAR, something they never could do in F1

the car lounge daily trivia game, everyone is welcome !

http://www.usatoday.com/sports...x.htm

Modified by drewb at 1:55 PM 11-4-2009

♣♥♠ DÜRTYDÜBS | clean cars. durty people. ♠♥♣

They effed up, and shot the sh!t and piss in the wind, and now they got caca all over their faces...

Eff Toyota and their mickyficky Prius's..

Club.Tuning.Life

My preference is certainly to have less Manufacturer involvement, or at least not involvement based on marketing a brand name for awareness instead of a brand identity. Ferrari and McLaren for example use F1 as a showcase of their ability in relation to their road cars.

You have a good point that the manufactures do have their core business to fall back to, Williams core business is F1. However, I hate to admit when Max is right, but he called it that manufactures can and will enter and exit F1 at will.

I am curious to see how F1 will change in the upcoming years without so many manufacturers.

He does. However, from a loss of capital standpoint...why get involved in the first place? Surely didn't do it to make money.

I too hope it get more privatize, with the little people taking it the 1 or 2 real manufacters that'll be left. And my Toyota capital source, says they're positive cashflow up till 2012. Selling Hybrid's is mighty profitable...

Modified by Kidstar at 6:53 AM 11-5-2009

Club.Tuning.Life

Club.Tuning.Life

Being as numbers pretty much down all over NASCAR, you never know.

Who is member # 726?

Quote, originally posted by Anthony@VWVortex »

Excuse me, that high school chick picked me up. It's totally different.

This is not unique to Formula 1 though. Businesses in a variety of sectors are using the economy as excuse to change some of the things they are doing.

Exactly.... An excuse not to change...

Club.Tuning.Life