F1 Toyota considering leaving F1 for LeMans

[Bartek S.]

It's been known for some time that Toyota is very interested in competing in LeMans, sending squads of racing engineers and observers to the races both in Europe and the American series. Now word has broken that Toyota may be considering a switch from the costly and thankless world of Formula One to the storied Le Mans series.

Speaking at the F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, Toyota representative Tadashi Tamashina said, "We would like to go to Le Mans. The final decision for Le Mans depends on the budget. Under the present economic conditions, it is unlikely that Formula 1 and Le Mans can be done in parallel. It is an either-or situation." The rising likelihood of a spec-engine in F1 would drive Toyota from the sport, Yamashina added, according to Auto Motor & Sport.

More: motorauthority

 

[Tumbo]

I hope that Audi will do the opposite

 

[siko]

This is kind of makes sense. They put so much money into F1 and kept sucking all along, so now they are considering and cheaper and "easier" racing group with alot less competition.

 

[Gullwing]

The only reason they want to switch is because they suck at F1. The spend the most money and are only in fifth place.

Porsche-Audi would be good for F1.

 

[Tarek]

Always wondered what the heck Toyota doin in F1 and Porsche is out?

I hope Porsche fill place

 

[Monster]

So Toyota is considering of doing a back flip and return to Le Mans after their not so successful F1 experience. Achieving good results in Le Mans is less difficult than F1 and it will probably allow more technical transfer between the road and race cars, because Toyota can use their hybrid technology with their Le Mans racer.

I really hope all this rumours are used to threaten Bernie+Max and their standard engine rule.

 

[Bartek S.]

What I see is the beginning of the end of the F1.

 

[bmer]

Makes sense, they haven't had enough success in the F1 and it sure looks like Le Mans will soon be more advanced than F1.

 

[klier]

That standard engine thing is the most retarded F1thing I've ever heard of. I can't blame Toyota if they want to leave because of that. All other major teams should do the same if that really happens.

 

[Deleted member 25]

Thing is Klier you cannot destroy years and years of money and experience gathering, and thousands of job that easily.

 

[Remy Zero]

the day F1 switches to standard engines, is the day i switch F1 off.

as for Toyota, with the budget, the only reason they suck i think is because they have the wrong people for the jobs.

plus, having factories in Cologne and Japan isn't helping either. they should centralize it in Germany, and get the correct people, from the engineers to the drivers to get the job done.

now, ever since Ralf left, noticed how suddenly Trulli seem to wake up and give Toyota a good season. the only thing they're lacking now is consistency.

i think in less than 3 years, if they can get the things right, they'll be big names in F1, together with Ferrari, Mclaren & BMW.

 

[Centurion]

It would be sad to see Toyota leave F1. Especially when they've made giant leaps in performance and reliability this year. They've even manged to challange Renault.