UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Toyota to quit F1

Announcement soon

As has been expected in many quarters Toyota will formally announce today that they are withdrawing from Formula One with immediate effect.

Stories yesterday indicated that the team had scheduled an announcement for later this week – prior to the end of year board meeting at which the decision as to next year’s budget would have been made – but it now appears a confirmation was made in Japan yesterday.

The Toyota team entered the sport with great expectations – and a colossal budget – but failed to deliver wins or even consistent results, and with the current world economic climate bearing down on the motor manufacturers, it comes as little surprise that the Japanese giant has chosen to withdraw.

Also a factor is last year’s withdrawal by Honda, for without that competition the Japanese element was lost.

It remains to be seen whether the team will be sold on – the facilities in Cologne are among the best in the business – or simply mothballed, but a glimmer of good news now comes the way of Sauber, for the ex-BMW team is now likely to be granted Toyota’s position on the grid.

Drivers Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock had already been told their services would not be needed next season and both are expected to find drives for 2010, but a cloud now hangs over the future of the impressive rookie Kamui Kobayashi – reckoned by many to be the best product of the Toyota young driver programme – who has driven the last two races in place of the injured Glock.

Written: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:38:26