MOTOR SPORT:FORMULA ONE was plunged into fresh chaos last night when it emerged Renault had held emergency talks yesterday over following Toyota out of the sport. The French manufacturer was said to be considering whether to continue running a team, reduce its commitment to supplying engines for others or to withdraw altogether.

The news followed the announcement of Toyota becoming the third team in 11 months to pull out of the sport, a decision that was met with outrage by the FIA, which said it would investigate the legal implications of Toyota’s decision to quit Formula One despite having signed a new Concorde agreement committing the team until the end of 2012.

“The announcements this week by Toyota and Bridgestone of their withdrawal from Formula One are of concern to the FIA,” said a statement from motor sport’s governing body.

“Bridgestone has given almost 18 months’ notice of its intentions, thereby allowing the necessary arrangements to be made for the future supply of tyres.

“Toyota’s decision, however, comes just weeks after its F1 team signed the new Concorde agreement until 2012. Urgent clarification is now being sought from the Toyota F1 team as to its legal position in relation to the championship. This will have a direct bearing on the admission of any future 13th entry.”

The German-based team has been withdrawn after the Toyota Motor Corporation returned its worst sales figures in 32 years and reported a record loss in the financial year ending March 31st.

Toyota entered Formula One in 2002 and did not win a grand prix in 139 attempts.

The FIA, under new president Jean Todt, will continue to pursue the cost-cutting in the sport.

“The FIA has repeatedly warned that motor sport cannot outpace the world economic crisis. That is why the 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 that 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.”

Renault’s board meeting in Paris was reported to have been attended by the acting team principal, Bob Bell, and the managing director, Jean-Francois Caubet, although neither man was said to have been allowed to take part in the debate about the team’s future. However, according to a Renault spokesman, the summit had been planned for weeks and could not be described as an emergency meeting.

Toyota’s decision was announced by the head of Toyota Motor Corps, Akio Toyoda.

“This has been a very painful decision for the company,” he said. The Toyota FI principal, Tadashi Yamashina, was reduced to tears during the press conference.

There is a certain irony in the likelihood that Toyota’s withdrawal will allow Sauber back in. The team’s very existence seemed to be under threat when their engine supplier and the 80 per cent shareholder, BMW, announced they would be leaving the sport at the end of this year. But they may well now be saved by the departure of another major car manufacturer.

Recent Departures

2009

November 4th – Japanese manufacturer Toyota announce immediate departure, saying it was a “very difficult but unavoidable decision” due to the economic climate.

November 2nd – Japan’s Bridgestone, Formula One’s sole tyre supplier, says it will pull out when its contract expires at the end of 2010.

September 24th – Renault title sponsor ING withdraws with immediate effect after the team were handed a suspended permanent ban for involvement in a race-fixing scandal. The Dutch-based financial group had been due to pull out at the end of the year.

July 29th – BMW announce their exit at the end of 2009 as a team and engine supplier.

July 7th – Toyota-owned Fuji circuit gives up hosting rights to Japanese Grand Prix from 2010. The track had been due to alternate with Honda-owned Suzuka.

February 4th – Mitsubishi Motors withdraw from the Dakar Rally due to financial situation. The company had won the event a record seven times in a row.

January 19th – Credit Suisse decide not to renew sponsorship of BMW-Sauber.

January 9th – Kawasaki announce their departure from MotoGP.

2008

December 16th – Former champions Subaru withdraw from world rally championship. Suzuki had announced their exit the day before.

December 5th – Honda pull out of Formula One, putting their British-based team up for sale. It re-emerges after a management buyout as Brawn GP and, with Mercedes engines, goes on to win both titles in 2009.

May 6th – Honda-backed Super Aguri withdraw from Formula One due to financial problems.