Word came out of Tokyo on November 4th that confirmed what many were expected.  Toyota will be withdrawing from Formula 1 competition.  The Toyota news release cited “… the current severe economic realities” as the reason for their exit from the pinnacle of open wheel motorsports.

Photo Credit: Sumisso

As far as the Japanese automakers future the release also reads, “In motor sports, it will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motor sports by supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate.”  I found this quote very interesting.  To me it basically says that they’re pulling out of the most high profile and expensive form of motorsport world wide but we’re going to stay involved in other series and at the very bottom of the motorsports food chain, grassroots racing.  What an excellent kick to the Formula 1 snobs out there!

The world’s largest automaker is saying it’s going to focus on other series (i.e. NASCAR, Grand Am, NHRA, etc.) and what I consider the heart and soul of motorsports, johnny weekend racer.  They would rather spend their diminishing racing budgets in those places then at the “pinnacle” of motorsport.  That is saying a lot and I think it’s saying exactly the right thing.

Formula 1 is awesome, there is no question about that.  But is it about selling cars?  In the end to an automaker motorsports are about 3 things; marketing to your consumer, beating your competitors, and developing new technologies that can be used in passenger cars in the future.  So, lets break this down.

Marketing:

Are Toyota drivers really in the F1 demographic?  Yes, but it’s more likely Lexus drivers.

Does F1 get much attention in the US?  Not nearly as much as the tin tops.

Beat your competitors:

Was Toyota beating their competitors?  This year they finished 5th in the points having bested BMW Sauber, William – Toyota (not much help), Renault,  Force Inda – Mercedes, and Torro Rosso – Ferrari.  Renault is a competitor in some markets but not one I believe Toyota fears and BMW is a competitor of note for Lexus.  Ok, so a little help here but is spending as much as an estimated $445 Million a year to run a Formula 1 team?  Hello NO!  Hop up a Camry or an IS F10 and go at it with BWM in ALMS GT2.  That would save you, oh I don’t know about $444.5 Million!

 Were they even racing against competitors?  For argument sake lets say they won the constructor’s championship this season.  In addition to the teams above who would they have beaten?  Mercedes, Renault, and Ferrari.  If they were called Panasonic Lexus Racing instead of Toyota I could see Mercedes, but they just aren’t competing with these guys for car sales.

Developing New Technologies

Were new technologies culled from their 8 seasons in F1?  I dunno.  Probably, but couldn’t you do the same thing in ALMS?  If you were running in GT2 you’d even have a chassis that was similar to a production car.  Hell, if it was Koni Challenge you could actual make money by selling race ready cars to teams.  Imagine that?  Whatever they learned must not have been worth the extra cost.

Thanks for humoring me as I ran through that.  I never like to see any OEM pull out of any racing series, but if they truly focus more on grass roots racing (ala Mazda) then I think this is great news for the motorsports community.  If a company the size of Toyota put its might behind a plan to build a ladder system similar to what Mazda has done this could open up doors to many wanna be drivers that never existed before.  You have to appreciate that.

Now, I know I referred to “Formula 1 snobs” earlier in the post.  I want F1 to do well, but I really want them to just get over themselves.  Yep, they race in some of the coolest places in the world (less and less now) and they have some of the premier manufacturers participating, that is all true.  But, the races are high speed parades, the budgets are out of control, and now that Toyota has withdrawn only 1 of the Top 10 automakers (by 2008 production) participated in the series, Fiat (Ferrari).

Seriously?  How can you be the premiere series if the 9 biggest auto makers don’t participate?  Major changes need to be made to preserve the good name and future of F1.  I hope they do it and soon.

You can read Toyota’s full press release here: 

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota-to-withdraw-from-f1-112039.aspx?ncid=12036

Could he go to F1? Should he go? Photo Credit: Big Ed's Photos

According to the article USF1 has had conversations with Kyle’s business people and Kyle has publicly said he would consider such a move, if only for a few years.  His contract with Gibbs goes through next year so nothing would happen prior to 2011.

I don’t know what to think about all this.  Bush is a good driver, you can’t deny that no matter how much we’d all like to.  His persona leaves a great deal to be desired but he’s made a great villain for NASCAR.  That in itself makes him an interesting choice for F1 where robot drivers reign supreme.  They thought JPM was outspoken and reckless just wait till they get a load of Rowdy!  An American in F1 would be great, a loud one would be good too, but it probably wouldn’t help our national image of the Ugly American.

Bush Lover!!!! Photo Credit: ph-stop

I watch both NASCAR and F1 so either way he’ll be popping up on my tube.  We’ll see how this one shakes out.

See the full article here:  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/formula1/2009-10-21-us-f1-wants-kyle-busch_N.htm

After meeting in Paris the FIA has released a new provisional Formula 1 schedule for 2010.  Of special note is the move of Monaco from May 23rd to May 16th and that the Abu Dabi and Brazilian GPs will most likely switch dates if it’s cool with the promoters of those events.

Although not finalized yet the coolest thing on the schedule is Canada on June 13th.  It has a big fat asterisk next to it right now because contracts are still in negotiations on this one.  Lets all keep our fingers crossed that F1 makes its return to North America in 2010. 

I’ll admit I have a love / hate relationship with Formula 1, but that is mostly with its leadership and the general superiority complex that surrounds the sport.  (Seriously you can have an alleged Nazi Themed Orgy and just be asked to sit out a race?  Seriously?)

Anyway, provisional schedule is below.  Stay tuned for future updates!
2010 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar
14 March – Bahrain
28 March – Australia
4 April – Malaysia
18 April – China
9 May – Spain
16 May – Monaco
30 May – Turkey
13 June – Canada**
27 June – Europe (Valencia)
11 July – Great Britain*
25 July – Germany
1 August – Hungary
29 August – Belgium
12 September – Italy
26 September – Singapore
3 October – Japan*
17 October – Korea*
31 October – Abu Dhabi��
14 November – Brazil†

*Subject to the homologation of the circuit.
**Subject to the completion of contract negotiations with Formula One Management.
†The FIA has approved in principle a proposal to swap the dates of the Abu Dhabi and Brazil Grands Prix, pending agreement with the promoters of both events.

IndyCar.com is reporting that Dan Anderson has announced an agreement between his company Anderson Promotions, LLC and the Indy Racing League that will not only bring back the famed open wheel feeder series but will have it sanctioned by the IRL. 

Anderson is quoted as stating that he invisions a 12 event schedule in 2010 with some double header weekends, an emphasis on road and street courses, but also mentions the possibility of 2 ovals being on the schedule is out there.

I think this is excellent news.  The open wheel feeder system has been a bit lacking as of late.  The USF2000 Championship should fit nicely in that niche that falls just below Atlantics and Indy Lights.  Although Star Mazda exists there now I believe a 2nd tier feeder series with a solid affiliation to IndyCar is critical to grooming talent for the future of the series.  Not to mention that it could foster the creation of development programs at even early stages for young drivers. 

If the majority of the 10 races coincide with IndyCar weekends not only would it promote IndyCar teams participation in the feeder series it would make for more track events during those weekends.

You can check out the full story here:  http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=15341