Formula 1 2009

[Mr Revhead]

gotta be careful of those budget figures thrown around the net....
for one thing, it wasn't the same amount every year.
do the figures quoted include what was spent to run the customer engines?
but no doubt it was a substantial amount of $$
makes you wonder what could have been with some better drivers....

[2jayzgte]

although hearing it from this source adds a lot more credibility to it....
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/toyota-out/
related article:
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/10/ ... ota-in-f1/



so, LF-A at Le Mans next year then....

That 2nd article is the one and though alot of this is still rumour the fact of the matter is the rumour's are coming from the top so in my eyes Toyota are over in F-1.

Man I reckon that 2.4 billion that I suggested over those 8 years is a conservative estimate I reckon Toyota may have spent a hell of alot more and considering there are no short cuts in F-1 I reckon they spent more.

As for Le Mans and the LF-A its possible but not likely as they being Toyota seem to be in saving mode they obviously are not having back to back losses with regards to the car business.

[Mr Revhead]

when you read about other things, Le Man seems very very likely
they are not just going to sell the factory at cologne

[Boost_4_Life]

back to rally! please! with kp starlets!

[JustinSpiderholden]

John Howett is purely to blame for Toyota failures he is a complete and utter Muppit who couldnt organise a piss up in a bewery

[Makaveli]

New Toyota president is a petrol head. They brought out the Lexus LF-A (inspired by their F1 programme) and then they going to release FT-86. Formula 1 is a great marketing platform and Toyota is the biggest car manufacturer in the world, so they work in perfect harmony. I think Toyota probably belongs in F1 more so than Ferrari (I know people going to hate me for saying this). Kobayashi is one of the best Japanese racing drivers I have seen. Having a Japanese driver in a Japanese team would mean a lot for their PR back in Japan.

Raikkonen is an idiot for saying, if he doesn't get a good drive, he would rather sit out the season. I don't see Senna or Schumacher saying that. Raikkonen lacks the passion for racing. Ferrari is paying him next year for doing nothing, he may as well race for any team. Toyota has the resources and money, all they need is a good driver to push them over the line. Toyota never had any good drivers. Most of them were average or so.

[Makaveli]

I think Toyota board is going to be having a meeting on November 15th, so at the moment it's all speculation. I hope it's just rumours and holds no truth. But in saying that, it would come as no suprise.

[Mr Revhead]

That meeting was brought forward to today apparently.

[Makaveli]

Announcement will be made by Toyota president Akio Toyoda and Tadashi Yamashina, senior managing director of Toyota motorsports activity at 9PM NZ Time (Wed, 4 Nov) at it's Tokyo headquarters.

[Mr Revhead]

seems the writing is on the wall then

[Mr Revhead]

it's true. they are out with immediate effect

[Makaveli]

Gutted to say the least. I think stupid FOTA should have listened to Max Mosley and agreed on cost cutting. I rather see big manufacturers race than Campos and Team USA and the like race. It's becoming like GP2.

[Mr Revhead]

well, the glory days of F1 they were all privateers.... with a little factory support.

I don't care who sin it, as long as they can pass each other

[fivebob]

Cost cutting wouldn't have saved Toyota, only a win would've, and they didn't have the drivers to give them that win

[Mr Revhead]

Yeah, Glock is arguably the best driver they have had

[Adamal]

Man, its a shame, cause Kobayashi would have been given a seat next year for sure. With a bit more time behind the wheel, I reckon he could have what it takes to become a really competative racer!

I hope he somehow manages to get a seat somewhere next year

[JustinSpiderholden]

This is pretty sad news

I am going to blame John Howlett the guy was total an utter twat who was well out of his deepth running a F1 team

Well looks like Glock is going to Reanult, Trulli will prob be at Lotus under Mike Gasgone they apparnlt get on well for working together before at Toyota

[2jayzgte]

It is a shame but the fact that Toyota couldn't get a top driver to drive for them says alot for the way the team was run.I think it was common knowledge that the board in Tokyo may have had a bit to much influence in what and how the F-1 team was run.

They should have had a crack at getting Ross Brawn as soon it was known he was leaving Ferrari and handed the reins to him as it seems he has the magic wand and know's how to run a team.Maybe if they got someone like him as there team principle this may given Toyota the pulling power to attract a good driver.But its here noe there now because Toyota are goneski's..

[GX61 Mark II]

I was really sorry to hear this news today! I am not a major supporter of Toyota, but I have always cheered them on to a certain degree, and for the last two races I was cheering all the way for Kamui Kobayashi - he really seems to have the racing spirit that is lacking in many of the new young drivers.

[2jayzgte]

when you read about other things, Le Man seems very very likely
they are not just going to sell the factory at cologne

They may go to Le Mans at a later date but I can't see it anytime soon.They being Toyota seem to be consildating and are not in the spend money mode.

I remember getting bagged about how Toyota kept throwing money at F-1 for no reward and now with the economic downturn and all its comeback and haunted them and chick on the fact they have had limited succcess really as I stated earlier there exit is no surprise.