BMW Sauber F1
Toyota leaving F1. Announcement inminent...perhaps tomorrow?
By The Offsider
November 3 2009
We hear from good sources that we may not even have to wait for Toyota's withdrawal announcement in the conference of the 8th November. It is a shock even for us that the announcement may even happen in hours, maybe late tomorrow... But it's logical, given the decision period is now over. Stay tuned!
We have heard that in fact people from the team have started sending their CV's...
That is because the decision about Toyota's F1 future has been made already. The only question is when it will be announced, and we cannot fully confirm -yet- if it will be -leaked or announced- before or during the press conference of Sunday.
One major argument backing the retirement announcement is the conference's call for the 8th despite it was planned, and will still go ahead, that there will be another meeting on the 15th, where it was initially said that the annual budged would be approved -or rejected-.
Updates and more detailed info to come very soon!
UPDATE1: If you hadn't read already, the reliable Japaneese newspaper Mainichi is reporting the withdrawal too. Check at: http://mainichi.jp/select/today/news/20091104k0000m020105000c.html (use google translator )
For the record that is a different source than ours, so the things looking more and more certain now. We hear from some colleagues that the Toyota press office is unavailable for comment...
On a final note, it is very sad that the Hinwil workers (Sauber's factory in Switzerland) would be saved by a situation very similar to what happened in from the 29th of July. Hopefully Toyota will re-focus those jobs into other areas such as...Le Mans?
We are yet to get a more insight review on whether this retirement would imply some sort of penalization or enforcement to fill the slot from Toyota. Logic would tell that Toyota would simply transfer the slot to Sauber...somehow. But bear in mind that Sauber's place isn't totally secured yet. Will let you know soon...
UPDATE2: Now the word seems to be spreading through the press and F1 world. For example, here is the last twitter text from F1Racing editor James Roberts. JRobertsF1:
"I'm secretly hoping that Toyota's boss Mr Toyoda decides to take the company into touring and sportscars when they quit F1, er, soon...!"
There seems to be an interesting discussion going on in our comments space, just below. Feel free to join the discussion and check for some extra info, you don't need to be registered.
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03/11/2009 20:11
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Quote:Bogs
So that means that there is a spot on the grid for Sauber next year!!! Or am I missing something?
Yes!
they would be then the 13th team of the grid, and I don't think FIA would re-open again the application process, or at least I see none stealing it to Sauber, for God's shake!
But lets stay cautious, it has been officially confirmed yet. Though I have full confidence it will be soon.
Too bad the guys at Toyota's factory will struggle
On the other hand some 400 jobs at Hinwil could remain (well actually not all of them, as I heard there will be staff numbers limitaion, with a cap being set at around 340).
Racing against the machine!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:03:21:02:57 by Raid Phoenix.
So (if) Toyota gone, Sauber in.
Racing against the machine!
03/11/2009 22:39
Quote:Silas Talbot
However, if Toyota sold the team and did not exit, the new owners would retain their preferential spot on the grid and Sauber would not have a place, still stuck out there as the 14th team. I don't hear anyone considering that possibility.
We do consider it, but given the current situation, it seems more likely that Toyota would give that spot to Sauber, and use their factory for other purposes, namely Le Mans and/or sportscars. Economic crisis, and the already large list of investors tied with the other F1 applications, makes the buy out rather difficult.
And our sources, which have been proven very good and it's not the first time they do, tell us that the Sauber future is looking very good, you know what I mean. That would explain why Theissen looked quite confident lately, especially in a RTL interview in Abu Dhabi, and could be one of the reasons why BMW didn't sign the Concorde Agreement.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:03:23:02:18 by BMWF1Talk.
I read the interview with Dr Mario on Autosport in which he said that Sauber might not have to wait for one of the newbies to fail to turn up to get their place on the grid. At the time I did not consider that it could be Toyota.
My understanding is that it is Toyota F1 that has signed up to th CA, so the parent company can pull out at any time.
Williams and proud of it.
And also shares our view about the Toyota slot. Quoting:
"As I understand it, there will be no sale. It will just close down."
@pgj, yes, Theissen's interview in Autosport was another sign of what we have said in our previous post. It felt like a build up for the news...The raise before the fall.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:03:23:28:53 by BMWF1Talk.
I have to admit I am really 'unlucky' this year.
in early months, when it was obvious that we will suck this year, I started to poll thread "If not BMW then who you support" And I picked Toyota.
Two months till year and and both my 'favourites'are on the run to the exit
Anyaway, we are sad too about Kobayashi, but given his strong perfomances he should be able to convince a team to hire him, especially one of the new teams. And who knows, perhaps even Sauber.
Gemm, don't worry, it seems you will still have the chance to support Sauber.
Toyota's departure has been a long run rumor, but it wasn't until the last days that a decision was taken, although probably it could have "easily" happened before, on a similar timing to Honda. But by then it was too late, you cannot simply leave in the start/middle of the season.
It's understandable, as while it is the biggest manufacturer -6.6 million car sold the past year-, it was suffering badly from loses, especially in they key market US, though to a lesser extent than US manufacturers. Failing to win a single GP in F1 despite the huge expenditure made it an easy decision for Toyota. After all Le Mans is much more attractive for them in terms of technology development/showcasing.
On a final note, the team won't be sold, another reason being that the Cologne factory not only contains the F1 project, but also other sections of Toyota. that's different to Sauber's case. I cannot imagine on a same building Toyota running some departments and then another organization running a F1 project. Restructuring of staff and projects is far more likely. That means Sauber's future looks in very good shape.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:04:09:33:40 by BMWF1Talk.
Mr. Howett was one of the strongest opponents only to pull out due to... economic reasons ![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
. FOTA have fans in deep @#$%& as does the FIA... From what I hear Renault have unexpected board meeting today to discuss motorsport involvement.Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:04:10:39:38 by pcyryl.
[www.f1complete.com]
APPARENTLY this board's going to be used extensively next year, don't you think?
Quote:Walsingham
Feel bit sad for Kobayashi. He did quite a good job (comapre him to Nakajima who didnt score a point whole season), and seemed nice chap and it looks like he'd have to came back to his father's sushi shop. Maybe he'll find a ride.
Yes. Kazuki did have a poor season. Although based on his rookie year he deserved the chance to race in 2009. I put his poor season down to not coming to terms with slick tyres. We saw how Luca and Fisi struggled in a car they were not confident in. I felt really sorry for him. It is painful to watch anyone so far out of nick in any walk of life.
There are conspiracy theorists around saying that Toyota dumped Kazuki on Williams because Williams beat Toyota in 2007. I don't buy into that though he deserved his chance to drive in 2009.
I hope that Kobayashi gets a drive too. He was rough around the edges but has that sparkle that can take him a fair was in F1.
How about Koba for Sauber?
Williams and proud of it.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-toyota-says-no-to-selling-team/
Racing against the machine!
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