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Toyota’s threatens to pull out of F-1

BARCELONA: Toyota is threatening to pull out of Formula One from 2010 because of a dispute over a proposed budget cap.

Team president John Howett said Sunday that unless the teams and governing body FIA could reach an agreement over next season’s cost-cuts, the Japanese team could not guarantee its future in the sport.

“From Toyota’s perspective, there are a number of concerns that really need clarifications before we commit to the future,” Howett said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. “We want to be here. (But) I would say it is very likely we won’t enter unless something changes significantly.”

Teams which sign up to the voluntary $60 million cap will be given more technical freedom, which a majority of teams and drivers believe will create an uneven playing field. “In the case of Toyota, we don’t like the idea of a two-tier F-1,” Howett said.

F-1 teams met on Sunday to discuss the issue, and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is expected to have a separate meeting with FIA president Max Mosley before the Monaco GP.

Biggest critic

Ferrari has been one of the biggest critics of the scheme, and has been backed by the teams who cannot envision the sport’s future without the iconic Italian car.

“I think we are at a critical time for F-1,” said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh after emerging from a Formula One Teams Association meeting. “There is a lot of challenge there and we have to continue to press.”

Howett said more transparency was necessary. — AP

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