Toyota leaves F1

Toyota are quitting F1

It’s not exactly a huge surprise, but Toyota has announced today that they are leaving Formula One and will not be back in 2010 to take their place. With the announcement that Bridgestone are also quitting F1 after 2010, and the departure of Honda before the 2009 season started, there is going to be no Japanese involvement in F1. Which is rather sad for a nation that loves its cars.

But who can blame Toyota for pulling out? F1 is an expensive game – even for those with very deep pockets – and a lack of success on the track hasn’t done Toyota any favours. They’ve had brief glimpses of what could have been on the track – even in the closing race in Abu Dhabi – but not enough to make it worth their while continuing with the huge investment.

The departure from F1 leaves Toyota’s three drivers of 2009 – Timo Glock, Jarno Trulli and Kamui Kobayashi – without a drive for 2010. Or maybe not, if the rumour that Timo Glock is off to Renault to replace Alonso is true. Jarno Trulli should find a drive but Kamui Kobayash may struggle – despite his promise – with no Japanese manufacturers in F1.

In an interesting aside, Bernie Ecclestone has said that Toyota are actually signed up and committed to F1 until 2012. Which leaves an interesting situation. Will Bernie pursue Toyota for breach of contract, or will there be a private ‘agreement’ to settle the situation between Bernie and Toyota with another new team hitting the grid for 2010?

We’ll see.

By Cars UK