Comments on: Howett expects Toyota to race in 2010,but who will drive?

By: Formula

Formula — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:45:14 +0000

Regardless of what many of you believe or think, fact is Toyota is not leaving and will definitely be on the grid next year.

It’s funny how their is so much media focus on Toyota, yet nothing on Renault. It’s all politics. The fact is Renault is much more likely to leave the sport than toyota.

By: Werewolf

Werewolf — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:45:02 +0000

Even if Toyota survives in F1 the only certainty is a considerable budget cut. This must make it impossible to guarantee salaries for top drivers. Even Raikkonen, who could presumably race for nothing next year (if Ferrari are really paying him his contracted figure) is only going to drive for less than his market value if he perceives a really strong shot at another title, which is not how many would view a berth at Toyota.

The most likely possibility of a top driver, in my uninformed opinion, is if Button can keep Brawn dangling until November, by which time Barrichello will probably need to have committed to Williams, and then move to Toyota if they can offer a better deal.

By: Glen Slagg

Glen Slagg — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:47:56 +0000

I honestly can’t believe that Toyota will make it to next season. Now that their big rival Honda has gone, they really have nothing to stick around for.
And when the team themselves sound unsure, I would say that they are definitely history – because past experience shows F1 teams usually make a huge effort to hush these things up. Therefore, if negatives noises are actually escaping from Toyota, they must really be in the poo.
John Howett’s words don’t sound terribly confident, either.
What’s the price for dropping out of the sport now? $50M? It still has to be cheaper than flushing money down the drain in Cologne.

By: F1 Kitteh

F1 Kitteh — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:08:08 +0000

Or to get yourself in the papers for the home race. Hey he *might* be telling the truth but if you are a Kimi, I suspect you might not want to take the risk of suddenly finding out in December that your employer just quit…. I think Bernie got it right when he said once that Howett just looks puzzled and has no idea whats going on, as usual. He’s a corporate guy who’s first priority is his own job, you think he cares about you or me or F1???

By: Cabby

Cabby — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:20:16 +0000

“I find this curious wording; ‘we remain in contact with both of them’ is surely a given, as they see each other on a daily basis at Grands Prix.”

He probably means they stay in contact with their agents, who will do the negotiating.

By: Simon A

Simon A — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:51:33 +0000

James,

John Howett is deluded if he thinks Toyota will get one of the big boys. No record of building a good consistent car, and even with the diffuser head start this year they are nowhere. John’s blaming the drivers reading his comments on autosport.

Also in the article he says the drivers they are targetting would be stupid not to go there. As I said deluded.

When this guy speaks my skin crawls. Can’t bring myself to trust a word he says and now he’s clearly on a different planet, maybe he should try to stage another walkout like he did at the FOTA/FIA meeting at Heathrow. Clearly his peers didn’t respect him that much then either.

I think this will be the last year for Toyota, and this is just bluster to motivate the troops and generate media coverage to see out the year.

By: gary Bridle

gary Bridle — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:59:55 +0000

I am getting a bit tired of all the attention put on Toyota and the possibility of its withdrawl. No such a severe a scrutiny on others and yet we have BMW gone no suspision was even raised. Renault must have a question mark with no major sponsor and the company being in a much more dire position than Toyota financially. It seems the british and european press are willing them to go. The sport needs these big manufacturers we should be encouraging them not continually harassing and headlining miss quotes just to get a headline

By: F1 Kitteh

F1 Kitteh — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:45:36 +0000

All the stuff around Toyota lately is quite bizzare .. seems like they have been in the news more times last week than the last 9 years combined !

It would seem for both drivers their best option is to take a cut and stay, but what about on a 2-3 yr horizon? Would it be better to go with a Willis or Gascogne new setup as they have better records for success ?

By: Paige Michael-Shetley

Paige Michael-Shetley — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:51:40 +0000

Toyota has to be nuts if they think they have a realistic shot at Raikkonen or Kubica, or if they think that top drivers would be “foolish” to not consider them.

This is a team that has spent untold billions since they joined F1 and still have yet to win a race. How can they justify saying that top drivers would be “crazy” not to consider them if they have such a track record?

They’ve got a good driver in Glock, who has arguably had race pace as good as anyone this year. He’s improved each year he’s been in F1, and he can improve still. They can’t get anyone on the market better than him.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:42:32 +0000

Of course Howitt is going to talk down the possibility of his getting a P45. Toyota F1 is gearing down to closing up shop, this much is obvious from the fact that they have released both drivers. How could they possibly justify millions of dollars on Raikkonen or Kubica? I would be shocked if the board eeks out a budget in November for 2010.