WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO TOYOTA'S F1 TEAM?

November 6, 2009
By Alan Baldwin

Formula 1's governing body has sought urgent clarification from Toyota about its departure from the sport.

The International Automobile Federation said Toyota's decision on Wednesday to quit caused concern, as did the announcement by tyre supplier Bridgestone that it would leave at the end of 2010.

The IAF said: "Bridgestone has given almost 18 months' notice of its intentions, thereby allowing the necessary arrangements to be made for the future supply of tyres to the championship.

"Toyota's decision, however, comes only weeks after its F1 team signed the new Concorde Agreement until 2012.

"Urgent clarification is now being sought from the Toyota F1 team as to its legal position in relation to the championship. This will have a direct bearing on the admission of any future 13th entry."

Toyota did not say what it would do with its Cologne-based team, although a source there said the plan was simply to close it down.

The former BMW-Sauber team has been named as reserve to take up any slot vacated by one of the 13 teams due to compete in 2010.

However its entry cannot be officially given the green light until Toyota confirms what is happening to its team.

By signing the confidential Concorde Agreement in August, Toyota has committed itself to F1 until at least 2012.

The IAF said it had repeatedly warned that "motor sport cannot outpace the world economic crisis" and had acted accordingly to cut costs and allow new, independent teams in.

It added: "The IAF accepted the cost-reduction measures put forward by the teams on the basis that they would ensure a long-term commitment to the championship.

"We will now work to ensure that Toyota's departure is managed in the best interests of the championship and continue to encourage F1 teams to undertake the necessary cost-cutting measures for the good of the sport." - Reuters