Toyota President Insists They Are Still Committed To F1

Toyota president John Howett has slammed speculation that his team's future is in question as 'malicious scare-mongering' as he reemphasizes their commitment to Formula One.

With the team's new TF108 having failed to shine in early testing, Toyota have been surrounded by speculation that the company's Japanese president Katsuaki Watanabe is getting impatient for results.

However, speaking exclusively to this week's Autosport, Howett says that the company is fully committed to the future - even though the pressure is on them to improve results.

"It's Toyota culture to challenge everything," he said. "But it's a constructive philosophy. A lot of the company's senior executives really like to win so, if anything, we face a passionate pressure to perform. The media reports of the squad withdrawing are pure, malicious scare-mongering."
 

BigShow50 - 1/25/2008 10:52:47 AM

0 Boost

This is the final straw for Toyota in the F1, it's do or die!!! Otherwise stay out of the kitchen!!!

EnnNorak - 1/25/2008 2:37:54 PM

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The pig has promised, the bacon is committed.

pacotacolol - 1/26/2008 10:25:25 AM

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...commited to f1 to lose.

Htay7500 - 1/25/2008 7:17:54 PM

+3 Boost

but that doesn't change the fact from the motocross and road racing victories from honda and suzuki.

ThierryHenry14 - 1/25/2008 11:59:04 AM

+1 Boost

I personally believe that Toyota would do much better if they were to pull out of F1 and try their hands on Endurance racing. They saw some success at Le Mans in 99, and so I think they should focus on something they have a little more grasp on.

Plus, I think that Toyota does not really stand to benefit too much from F1, rather than Le Mans/Endurance racing. I think that the focus of F1 is overall performance engineering for sports cars and Toyota doesn't really stand to gain from that much, as they do not really have sports cars in their range, besides the LF-A. As for endurance racing, I think the focus is on the engine, which the application could be used for daily drivers, something Toyota has plenty of in their lineup.

JUGNU - 1/25/2008 12:43:30 PM

+2 Boost

"With the team's new TF108 having failed to shine in early testing"

maybe they don't know that TF108 driven by Timo Glock Topped the time sheets on the final day of the very FIRST official 2008 Season Testing.

and the other who topped it are Reigning champion Kimi and Ferrari and Former champion Alonso and Renault.

and btw i heard Toyota is fully commited to F1 at least till 2012.

JUGNU

r15mohd - 1/25/2008 12:46:02 PM

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yup, they're not dropping out until 2012, even if that is an option.

toyota will win in F1...it takes time.

Anthony - 1/25/2008 3:21:17 PM

+2 Boost

Toyota's been committed to spending money...not actually succeeding. It is one area that Toyota undoubtedly looks weak in. Toyota, you have to do more than just throw money around! Specially now that there is going to be a budget cap!

VISO - 1/25/2008 5:31:33 PM

+1 Boost

"It's Toyota culture to challenge everything," he said.

Then challenge already!

autopro - 1/27/2008 12:20:19 PM

+2 Boost

I wouldn't want to bet against them.