Following the news that Bridgestone are quitting F1 at the end of the 2010 season, Toyota have a press conference this morning where they are likely to announce that they too are quitting F1.

Toyota to quit F1? - F1technical.net

Now confirmed.

Sorry to say it, but I'm almost pleased at this news.

Toyota have been one of the blandest, most boring teams in F1 since they entered and haven't achieved much considering their massive outlay, kind of like pre-Brawn Honda.

This shouldn't mean we lose a team though as this frees up a slot for the former BMW-Sauber team who have new owners but previously didn't have a slot on the grid for 2010.

I agree with the comments above about them being rather "bland", alhough it would be good to see Kobayashi getting a drive somewhere else, as he looks like he could be an entertaining driver.

Kobayashi is about the only good thing Toyota have ever done for F1 before today!

Renault could be next: BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Renault considers Formula 1 exit

The press seem to agree that manufactures seem to struggle in F1 these days (Ferrari being an exception). Probably means we won’t see a Wartburg F1 car for some time :(

If people would f*ck off about "climate change" then F1, BTCC and WRC would be fine, and get much more manufacturer support!

Kobayashi is about the only good thing Toyota have ever done for F1 before today!

Wasn’t he the bloke they were looking for in the ‘usual Suspects film’?

Nope - it's the test in Star Trek which Kirk cheats.

Wasn’t he the bloke they were looking for in the ‘usual Suspects film’?

No, but was part of the story - the mug manufacturer of the cop.

Eddie Jordan thinks Renault will stay in F1.

So that’s Renault leaving F1 too then:rolleyes:

Eddie Jordan thinks Renault will stay in F1.

So that’s Renault leaving F1 too then:rolleyes:

:rofl::rofl:

If people would f*ck off about "climate change" then F1, BTCC and WRC would be fine, and get much more manufacturer support!

Don't think it's got much to do with that, more about justifying the huge costs "in the current economic climate"

Renault would be a bigger loss than Toyota, seems less likely to me that they will quit given they have already signed Kubica for next year. But we will see....

Nope - it's the test in Star Trek which Kirk cheats.

You're thinking of his sister Maru!

Ferrari believe that FIA is against the motor manufactures in F1 and that is why some of them have left or are thinking of leaving.:confused:

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | F1 'war' on car makers - Ferrari

Nobody twisted the arms of Toyota, Honda, BMW or Renault to enter into F1, they probably viewed it as a good show case for advertising their products. With the current economic downturn affecting their everyday business of making and selling road cars the bean counters have told the bosses that they can no longer afford F1.

The FIA were proposing cost cutting measures to make F1 more affordable and as I recall the car makers in the sport were opposed to this.

I actually prefer the old days when small teams got a Cosworth DRV put it into their chassis and went racing for the love of it. Ken Tyrrell, Frank Williams and Colin Chapman to name but a few.

I actually prefer the old days when small teams got a Cosworth DRV put it into their chassis and went racing for the love of it. Ken Tyrrell, Frank Williams and Colin Chapman to name but a few.

Me too, we're actually getting back to those days next year now by the looks of it, although I still think it will be very hard for any independent to make an impact.

Toyota may be quitting, but we all know BMW are. Thay have been in F1 for 10 years.

Nelson Piquet won the title with a Brabham BMW back in 1983, so they have been in F1 and left before as have Renault. In post war F1 Renault ran a team back in the turbo days then quit only to return as an engine supplier in the early 90's before taking over the Benetton team.

It was chapman that started all the big money manufacturer involvment mind.

We can blame him for everything tbh lol! He was a genius and really did shape F1 as we know it. Good and bad.

But as said, I to wont miss Toyota. Its good to see them get involved and show how good teams like williams, toleman, arrows, mclaren really are. But its ultimatly just an advertising campaign to them.

And yeh, shame about kobi whatever. He was mighty impressive in his first 2 races. Fingers crossed he gets a drive somewhere, he deserves it.

J

Not true - "Gold Leaf Team Lotus" wasn't the first commercial sponsorship deal in motorsport, just the first most people have heard of!