Toyota officially threatens to leave Formula 1

The information became known after the qualification session of the Spanish Grand Prix, Toyota threatens to leave Formula 1 if the budget cap is implemented by the FIA in 2010.

The president of the Japanese team, John Howett, stated that under the current conditions with the recently published regulations, the team does not plan to submit an entry for the 2010 championship.

« From Toyota’s point of view, there are a number of concerns that really need clarification before we commit. We want to stay, we believe we are an essential team, but we now need to think more long-term. »

Following Howett’s comments, the chances of the team staying in the sport for 2010 are slim unless the regulations are changed by the governing body. « I would say that it is very likely we will leave Formula 1 unless something changes significantly, » he added.

Registrations for 2010 are accompanied by 309,000 euros as entry fees and must be completed before May 29.

BMW-Sauber and Ferrari seem to be in the same position by also disagreeing with Max Mosley. Bernie Ecclestone is trying to defuse the situation.

« Formula 1 is Ferrari and Ferrari is Formula 1, » he declared to journalists yesterday.

Fundamentally and despite recent rumors, Norbert Haug reportedly indicated that Mercedes-Benz sees its future on the grid.

He stated to the Austrian daily newspaper Der Standard that in the midst of an economic crisis, the budget cap in F1 is absolutely justified. As a marketing platform, he believes the sport is incomparable.

« If we had to buy TV and radio spots, as well as space in print media and on the Internet, it would cost ten times the Formula 1 budget, » explained the German.