Fota sadenned by Toyota departure
Fota thanked Toyota team boss John Howett for his work as vice chairman of the teams' association
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Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 05:08
By Adam Leveridge
The Formula One Teams' Association (Fota) has expressed its sadness at Toyota's decision to withdraw from formula one.
Toyota became the third manufacturer in less than a year to pull out of the sport, following in the footsteps of BMW and Honda.
And, in response to the announcement, Fota said it "expressed sadness at the unexpected decision".
"All the Fota teams send sincere messages of goodwill to all at Toyota - staff, drivers and sponsors - and thank them for the positive contribution they have made to formula one in recent years," a statement read.
"Regrettably, notwithstanding Toyota's commitment to compete until 2012 deriving from the signature of the Concorde Agreement, the particular financial pressures within the car manufacturing industry - together with a period of uncertainty and unnecessary confrontation in F1 that is now finally over - created conditions which have made it difficult for Toyota to stay in the sport at this time.
"We hope very much that Toyota will return in the not too distant future, but in the meantime every effort must be made by the sport's management to ensure that the 2010 season is as successful as we all hope."
The teams' association went on to say that F1 needs to do all it can to prevent further losses.
"These efforts should include ensuring that the 2010 grid remains fully subscribed - we should remember that there are still more teams entered than in any year since 1995 - and that our sport remains a focus for technological innovation and competitive racing.
"The departure of an important car manufacturer cannot be underestimated and its reasons need to be addressed."
Fota also thanked Toyota team principal John Howett for his hard work as vice chairman of the teams' association.
"Fota also wishes to put on record its thanks to John Howett for his great passion and his fundamental contribution in his role as vice chairman of FOTA, in helping negotiate the new Concorde Agreement, securing longer term stability in F1's rules and a more constructive, collaborative environment with all stakeholders."