Toyota out of F1

[tpl]

From the BBC


Toyota has confirmed that it is pulling out of Formula 1 racing after posting its worst ever financial loss.

The world's largest car manufacturer will concentrate on its core business.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda said the Japanese team had no option but to pull out citing "the current severe economic realities" affecting the world.

The team failed to win any of the 139 races it entered after making its F1 debut in 2002 but was fifth in the 2009 constructors' championship.

Toyota's withdrawal leaves the sport with no Japanese team after Honda left F1 at the start of the 2009 season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8341602.stm

[inco]

Can't fault that decision at all. It's money wasted.

[safristi]

...WERE they really ever IN F1.........................   how do ya say BACK MARKERS in Japanese.............."Itchy No WAN a race"

[ovr50]

First Honda, then BMW, now Toyota. Can you spell excessive costs, Bernie??

Too bad really, in the case of BMW at least, there was some flowback to the regular product from the racing works, eg. the DCT tranny in the M3. Not sure that Toyota or Honda had the same benefit.

[TopGun]

Toyota president Akio Toyoda said the Japanese team had no option but to pull out citing "the current severe economic realities" affecting the world.

Ya...that and the fact that the article points out they didn't win a race.

It must be a tough balance...racing is better with manufacturers being heavily involved...but the series' are in deep trouble if the manufacturers decide to leave...which they can do rather quickly.