Toyota Delays 2009 F1 Car Launch Citing Cost Cuts

Toyota have scaled back the launch of their 2009 Formula One car as part of cost-cutting measures.

"To emphasise its commitment to overall cost reduction in Formula One, the team will not proceed with its traditional pre-season event programme," Toyota said in a statement on Wednesday.

Instead of a formal launch at the team's Cologne factory, with reporters and company officials flown in from around the world, studio images of the new TF109 car will be unveiled through the internet on Jan. 15.

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HSCenterconsole - 11/26/2008 10:48:29 AM

+5 Boost

Toyota would be better off just calling it a day in F1 and puting all that money to a more productive use.

Agent009 - 11/26/2008 11:17:14 AM

+4 Boost

They might just if the market gets worse, as may other makers

F1_Driver - 11/26/2008 11:46:15 AM

+5 Boost

Like Toyota matters in F1.

JUGNU - 11/26/2008 2:30:57 PM

-1 Boost

This upcoming season with the introduction of new rules and regulations especially KERS, Toyota got good chances of improving. Watch out, this season don't bet against Toyota and also Honda and BMW.

JUGNU

HSCenterconsole - 11/26/2008 3:34:56 PM

+3 Boost

JUGNU, you need to get back down to reality. I think the fumes of all that chrome paint drying has resulted in some brain damage.

The top three in the constructors points in 2008 were Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, and BMW with 172, 151, and 135 points respectively.

Toyota was barely competitive and ended up with just 56 points. Honda would have been better off not even bothering to show up -- they earned just 14 points.

What makes you expect such a massive turnaround for 2009? Their results, for years, have been disappointing.

JUGNU - 11/27/2008 4:06:39 PM

+1 Boost

"What makes you expect such a massive turnaround for 2009?"

u fool, can't u read, i said the ' introduction of new rules and regulations especially KERS' would give them a chance, not only to them but to all the teams. It's almost like working from begining now, new aerodynamics rules, slick tyres, KERS...etc. So some will get them right and some will struggle. Toyota got more chances of getting right as they make hybrids and have some knowledge. Whatever 5-10%.
Same with Honda and BMW who seems to have stopped developing the 2008 car in the middle just to concentrate more on the new car. Especially Honda who was just waiting for rule changes and according to rumours are ahead of everybody in the develpment of the 2009 car.

and btw if it wan't for the two wins by Fernando Alonso(double WC) in the the last part of the season, Toyota would have taken the 4th palce. WC Alonso(best driver in F1) made the difference.

JUGNU

HSCenterconsole - 11/27/2008 7:20:44 PM

0 Boost

JUGNU, it is "you" not "u" -- are you a 12 year old girl texting in history class? Come on, speak correctly.

I'll put my money on the teams (Ferrari and McLaren) that have been dominating F1 for years, not also rans like Honda and Toyota.