Toyota Out of F1

[Feffman]

No big surprise Toyota is leaving F1 "with immediate effect" after Honda's exit last year. Looks like Sauber will be on the F1 grid in 2010 after all.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80005

Toyota power for Lotus F1??!!

Feff

[Shine]

I'm not sure this is a horrible thing. I certainly don't fear a return to privateer teams. The suits and bean counters are bailing on F1 and the people who are true enthusiasts will fill the void (though backed by large investment groups). Even though Ferrari is a major corporation now, it's road cars were originally sold as a means of funding the race team (much like Lotus) so there is a lot of racing passion there. I hope Sauber can get approval now as he is a great asset to F1. I have never been a big Williams fan, but you have to admire the guy for what he has done when competing with corporations spending 4 to 5 times his budget.

I wonder who will buy Toyota? Eddie Jordan?

[mikehall]

Spending the money they spent for the results they got it's not a surprise. If somebody does step into buy the team they are going to get one heck of a resource - at what price though? Would a new owner automatically be entitled to race next year? I guess Sauber hope not.

[mikester]

Too bad, although as pointed out it shouldn't be a great surprise.

F1 is changing, in a big way, for sure. Maybe that's going to turn out to be for the best....

[cornbeef]

Originally Posted by Shine

I'm not sure this is a horrible thing. I certainly don't fear a return to privateer teams. .

I wonder who will buy Toyota? Eddie Jordan?

EJ back That would be wishful thinking, or maybe he can run Lotus... I for one don't think the return of the privateers is a bad thing either.


So I guess Max was right all along..... (especially now as Renault are heading out also) As much as I dislike Mosley he was right about reducing the budgets for next year. Where would FOTA be right now if they went ahead with their breakaway series. How exciting it would be to see Ferrari, MacLaren, Brawn and Red Bull field 5 cars each to make a grid. The FIA are now in the driving seat to enforce cost cuts the four teams above can't set up on their own and if we really want to see a one make Ferrari series we already have it with A1GP...(btw notice the way Mercedes NEVER became a true F1 Manufactuer and is still there).

At least all this leaves Lotus in a way better spot for scoring points next year