Toyota quits F1 *confirmed*

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Hardly a huge shock - a perfect example of how not to run a F1 team. Lean/Six Sigma may work with their Manufacturing, but is far too slow for Motorsport, when instant decisions are often needed. A perfect example of why Manufacturers are only in it for themselves, and not the sport.
Just what on earth were they meant to be promoting though? Are there any 'Sporting' Toyota cars?

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No. They have been flogging a "sporting" Lexus at car shows lately, but given the brand heritage it seems likely to come in as a luxury item if it gets produced. The last MR2 was a fine sports car (no luggage capacity at all, though), and they never knew how to market it. Toyota put their version of the engine that Lotus uses in the Corolla, but never thought that it might be good to add that 40hp to a sports car.

Honda's problem with sporting cars have been slightly different. They introduced tour-de-force designs with no connection to the ordinary product line (NSX, S2000). Then the volume on the one-off designs never justified a full production update, so a brilliant car was slowly outstripped as the competition improved their cars.

I suppose that with both manufacturers, you could argue that their failures with sporting cars and F1 came from the same conceptual problems. :\

ClarkFan

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It really would be better to see the major manufacturers just come into F1 as engine suppliers only. I think that McLaren-Mercedes has largely worked due to Daimler's willingness to be a silent partner in the team, and their initiative to buy into Brawn is fraught with hazard for both parties.
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Couldn't agree more CF, if Mec manufacture a good engine they should market that engine by selling it to any team that wishes to buy it, so for instance we would have Lotus Mec, Brawn Mec,etc etc.

Regards scaliwag.

I am sad and slightly surprised by this decision.

I think the team might be sold to a willing buyer and we might yet see the team in 2010 or at the very latest 2011, probably with mercedes engines.

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Originally Posted by ClarkFan

It really would be better to see the major manufacturers just come into F1 as engine suppliers only. I think that McLaren-Mercedes has largely worked due to Daimler's willingness to be a silent partner in the team, and their initiative to buy into Brawn is fraught with hazard for both parties.

ClarkFan

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being a car manufacturer is not the reason for their departure.

I remind you that amount of independent teams that folded or left F1 far outnumbers the few manufacturers that ventures into the sport.

Their demise is based on 3 reasons, poor management, below average drivers and ridiculous budget. Idf thet were smart they would have trimmed their staff in half, reduced their budget by 50% and hired better drivers.

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Originally Posted by scaliwag

No manufacturer should be allowed to have a factory team, if they wish to be involved, they should only be allowed to support independent teams.

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What about Ferrari?

Also, don't manufacturers derive greater benefits from having their own team, rather than simply supplying engines? Aren't Williams remembered for winning titles with Hill and Villeneuve (just as an example) rather than Renault?

well, looks like Heidfeld will be in a Qadbak Sauber next year......

shame. where does this leave Japan's F1 involvement? Honda-Gone. Bridgestone-Going. Super Aguri-Gone. Toyota-Now gone. Nakajima-uncertain. Kobayashi-New guy. Sato-returning?

ie. Japans involvement will soon only be by drivers. Im gonna miss Toyota, though they never fulfilled their potential.

goodbye toyota. it was kinda inevitable, yet still dissapointing.

Well I suppose this shows that Japan are not the Super Power they are made out to be at this moment in time

Toyota have wasted a massive amount of money on F1 and they should have stayed in the WRC because the Corrola was still winning rallies at the end of 1999.

Come back to WRC Toyota! :D :D :D :D :D

I'm sad that Toyota are going, and now it appears Renault could follow them.

I hope they can 'do a Brawn' and come back next year with good drivers.

In a good way, this will probably give the rightful place back to Peter Sauber and the 'BMW' team. (Off topic I know but I'd love Heidfeld and Klien to get those seats)

The FIA aren't too happy, and they have good reason not to be. Toyota did just sign up to the Concorde Agreement a few months back, so that clearly isn't worth the paper it's written on

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80012