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Posts: 1876
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From autoracing1.com
Toyota confirms F1 quit decision
(GMM) Toyota Motor Corporation confirmed officially on Wednesday its decision to pull out of formula one with immediate effect.
"Based on the current economic environment, we realize we have no choice but to withdraw," said the Japanese carmaker's president Akio Toyoda at a news conference in Tokyo.
"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."
"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 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."
"This was a difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision," Toyoda was quoted as saying by Reuters. "Since last year with the worsening economic climate, we have been struggling with the question of whether to continue in F1. We are pulling out of Formula 1 completely.
"I offer my deepest apologies to Toyota's many fans for not being able to achieve the results we had targeted."
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"developing exciting production vehicles"
They're going to start selling red Camrys?
I can't blame them for bailing. They're spent billions and haven't had much success. I'm more concerned about BMW. I hope they decide to hang around next year.
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BMW has already bailed, but the team has been acquired and plans to race next year, maybe as 'Sauber' again. There is some bullshit issue about their entry not being accepted because it wasn't presented before the deadline, but they will be back in 2010.
Not sure if BMW will supply customer engines though. I don't think they have announced that one way or the other.
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It's a shame they're leaving.
They were finally starting to look like contenders.
From what I've been hearing, F1 is on it's way to becoming a Cosworth spec series...
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Moderator
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Edited Date/Time: 11/4/2009 9:16 AM
Any word on Renault yet? the commentator on the ROC this morning said something to the effect of, "Sad news today that Toyota has withdrawn from F1 competition, and we also expect an announcement from Renault some time today"
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It won't be the first time. The series was nicknamed "Formula Ford" back in the 70's.
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Just read this about Renault:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8343221.stm
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Posts: 1876
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Renault will continue to supply engines to Red Bull next year. They also signed Kubica to the team for next year.
I wouldn't doubt it if they spun the team back off and just became an engine supplier again, though.
Remember that the team was Benetton before Renault bought them, and Toleman even before that (anyone remember the 'Flying Pig?')
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I guess Frank Williams was told of Toyota's pull out, and that was why he jumped on the Cossie program.
Cosworth will do a good job. When Jordan switched back to Cosworth from Honda my buddy told me that the Honda was beautifully made, but built like a street car engine with big gasket surfaces and heavy castings, etc. He said that when they got the Cosworth and sat it next to the Honda, it was smaller and weighed something like 8 kilos less, made the same horsepower, but leaked oil like crazy! 'A proper racing engine'
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Anyone have any thoughts on the no refueling next year?
This should make the cars faster at the end of the race with less weight, right?
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Posts: 1876
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Yes, though tires will still be a determining factor.
I am wondering how they will do qualifying next year.
This year, if you made it to Q3 you had to qualify with your race-starting fuel load. Since next year everyone is going to start with the same fuel load, will they open qualifying up to allow them to run just enough to do a lap or 2 at speed, or make everyone qualify with full tanks?
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my guess is they are making a much bigger return on nascar for pennys compared to what it is costing them in F1
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f1 sadly is for rich spoiled pricks that have never worked a day in their stuck up lives. good riddance.
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I hope they're allowed to qualify light. Maybe bring back qualifying-specific rubber also.
No refueling will make chassis and aero setup a whole different ballgame. The old active suspension cars were able to adjust chassis ride height on the fly, so the extra weight of full tanks had a less adverse effect on setup.
I'm looking forward to the return of 4-second pit stops. I'd also like to see a driver who can make a set of tires last a full race distance. Prost did it a few times back in the early 90's. I have a video of a race from '92 or '93 where he won after a titanic struggle with a rookie Schumacher - after Prost had run an entire race distance on one set of tires.
Next year should be highly entertaining.
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NASCAB couldn't hold F1's jock.
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I personally know a lot of people who work or have worked very hard in F1.
Or are you talking about the drivers 
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Was it TWR that was rebadging the Renault motors when they pulled out last time, called them Meccachrome ? "Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is the same as calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist."-----motomonger'08
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I think it's going to turn it back to tire management extreme but that made for some interesting races to see who could really conserve their tires and still go fast. "Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is the same as calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist."-----motomonger'08
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F1 has some of the absolute best engineers in the world. The designers, engineers, racers, teams, managers, etc..
To me F1 is the absolute top echelon of racing a car.
I wonder if there is any truth to the rumor of Schumacher coming back?
Will also be interesting to see how Brawn does next year. They got off to a great start this year. Or will Mclaren once again find it speed and be at the top.
Look like lots of Cosmo and BMW engines next year.
Also how will USF1 do?
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Good questions.
The big one is - how will Alonso fit in at Ferrari?
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From autoracing1.com today. Renault staying.
Renault will race in F1 in 2010 - Caubet
(GMM) Shooting down speculation to the contrary, Renault's F1 managing director Jean-Francois Caubet insists a working budget for 2010 has been approved and the team will race in formula one next year.
Following the announcement of Toyota's departure on Wednesday, the Renault board met in Paris, triggering reports that the French carmaker could be the next to quit F1.
But Caubet told the sports daily L'Equipe: "We have already contracted our drivers, had our budget approved and are enrolled in the world championship. Season 2010 has begun already."
He said Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn has also laid out his expectations for Renault's 2010 season; that the team "returns to a good level".
"We will not be world champions in 2010, but we do have hopes to be much improved," Caubet continued.
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No, there actually is a company called Meccachrome who took those engines over from Renault. It is a Canadian company.
http://www.mecachrome.com/indexGB.html
I know a guy who works there, who also is Patrick Carpentier's manager.
Around that same time, though, TWR bought the Arrows team. Tom Walkinshaw had a Volvo touring car team and a Nissan team at the time, and he was bleeding money away from both programs to run Arrows. He ended up losing everything except his Australian V8 Supercar team, which he still has.
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indy_maico wrote: From autoracing1.com
Toyota confirms F1 quit decision
(GMM) Toyota Motor Corporation confirmed officially on Wednesday its decision to pull out of formula one with immediate effect.
"Based on the current economic environment, we realize we have no choice but to withdraw," said the Japanese carmaker's president Akio Toyoda at a news conference in Tokyo.
"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."
"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 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."
"This was a difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision," Toyoda was quoted as saying by Reuters. "Since last year with the worsening economic climate, we have been struggling with the question of whether to continue in F1. We are pulling out of Formula 1 completely.
"I offer my deepest apologies to Toyota's many fans for not being able to achieve the results we had targeted."