22/11/09 12:07 GMT
  £30 Free Bet Champion 2010 Latest Odds Sky Casino Sky Games Fantasy F1 Mobile
 
 FORMULA ONE NEWS
Picture Horner - was sad to hear about Toyota.

DON'T RELY ON MANUFACTURERS - HORNER

By Ian Parkes, Press Association Sport

Click here to bet on F1 with Sky Bet!
Click here for full coverage on Planet-F1
Click here for 2009 race results
Click here for final championship standings
Click here for more F1 news

Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Toyota's demise epitomises the fact Formula One should not be reliant on the manufacturers.

In the space of 11 months Formula One has now lost Honda, BMW and Toyota, with suggestions on Wednesday that Renault held a board meeting to discuss their future in the sport.

Tyre manufacturers Bridgestone also confirmed on Monday they are to pull out at the end of next year, suggesting all is far from rosy in the F1 garden.

There is still the possibility of 13 teams lining up on the grid for 2010, leaving the independents holding sway, as was the case for many years prior to a decade of manufacturer dominance.

"It was with great sadness we learned of Toyota's position," Horner told BBC Sport.

"You have to feel for the employees. I think there's not far off a thousand that are going to be facing a difficult future unless they embark on other programmes.

"For Formula One to lose a name, and the biggest car manufacturer in the world in Toyota, is disappointing.

"But it shows Formula One should not be reliant on manufacturers.

"Independent teams are the heart and soul of Formula One. They don't tend to come and go as manufacturers do.

"We've still a very healthy grid. Toyota's demise gives a chance to the Sauber team - now privately owned - to take their place.

"So we are set for a really competitive year in 2010. We'll have 13 teams - hopefully. But unfortunately without Toyota, which is a shame and a loss."

The FIA, meanwhile, are to revisit the recently imposed cost-cutting measures in the wake of Toyota's exit.

Motor sport's world governing body has expressed "concern" at the announcements made this week by Toyota and Bridgestone.

Whilst the FIA are satisfied Bridgestone at least served notice of its intention to leave, they have made it clear they are far from happy with Toyota.

The Japanese giant recently signed the new Concorde Agreement, so binding themselves to F1 through to 2012.

That was based on a package of cost cuts designed to explicitly avoid decisions such as those made by Toyota Motor Corp.

With legal ramifications possible against Toyota, the FIA have expressed a desire to ensure the cost-cut plans in place are working and that F1 will be safeguarded for the future.

The statement read: "The FIA has repeatedly warned that motor sport cannot outpace the world economic crisis.

"That is why the competing teams have been asked to cut costs and the entry of independent teams has been encouraged.

"The FIA accepted the cost-reduction measures put forward by the teams on the basis they would ensure a long-term commitment to the championship.

"Toyota's announcement demonstrates the importance of the original cost-reduction measures set out by the FIA.

"The FIA will now work to ensure Toyota's departure is managed in the best interests of the championship and will continue to encourage the F1 teams to undertake the necessary cost-cutting measures for the good of the sport."

E-mail this article E-mail Article Print this article Print-Friendly Subscribe to sportinglife RSS feed Subscribe to RSS Feed
Digg this story post this story to del.icio.us - social bookmarking site Post to del.icio.us Facebook

Click here to send us your sporting feedback

  Latest Formula One Stories
 ECCLESTONE SETS SILVERSTONE DEADLINE
 SELLING TEAM RIGHT THING TO DO - BRAWN
 DOOR STILL OPEN FOR DONINGTON
 BUTTON LOOKS FORWARD TO 'GOOD FIGHT'
 JORDAN EXPECTS SCHUMACHER COMEBACK
 REPORT: SCHUMI IN TALKS WITH MERCEDES
 ECCLESTONE SETS SILVERSTONE DEADLINE
 BRAWN MAKE McLAREN WAIT FOR BUTTON
 BRAWN DEAL WORTH MORE - BUTTON
 McLAREN SIGN JENSON BUTTON

----------------------------------------------------------------
Part of 365 Media Group

Sports News & Entertainment
Sporting Life | TEAMtalk | Sportal | Football365 | Cricket365
Golf365 | Fixtures365 | Extreme365 | Planet F1 | Planet Rugby | Sky Sports | Football365 ZA

Betting & Gaming
Betting Zone | WSOP |Sky Bet | Poker | Online Casino | Online Bingo | Oddschecker | Casino Checker | Poker Checker | Bingo Checker | Free Bets

Mobile, Fun & Games
Free Online Games | 24-7 Football | Fantasy Football | Fantasy F1
----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2009 365 Media Group Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Email Your Comments - Advertise With Us - About/Contact Us
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy - RSS


Planet F1 Coverage!
Get In Pole Position With The Web's Best Formula One Site!
Photo Galleries!
Check Out Our Pictures From The 2009 F1 Season!
Fantasy F1
Pick Your Team And Your Drivers - £20k Up For Grabs!
Sky Bet Specials!
Bet £30, Get £30 Free!
Watch Live Sport Online Free!
2009 Drivers
Lewis Hamilton
Heikki Kovalainen
Kimi Raikkonen
Giancarlo Fisichella
Robert Kubica
Nick Heidfeld
Fernando Alonso
Romain Grosjean
Jarno Trulli
Kamui Kobayashi
Sebastien Buemi
Jaime Alguersuari
Mark Webber
Sebastian Vettel
Nico Rosberg
Kazuki Nakajima
Jenson Button
Rubens Barrichello
Adrian Sutil
Vitantonio Liuzzi
2009 Teams
BMW-Sauber
Brawn GP
Ferrari
Force India
McLaren
Red Bull Racing
Renault
Scuderia Toro Rosso
Toyota
Williams
F1 Betting
Place Your Bets
Latest News/Previews
Latest Odds