Toyota Motor withdrew from Formula One on Wednesday, leaving Japan without a team in motorsport’s premier series.
Company president Akio Toyoda apologized for the team’s failure to record a single race victory since joining F1 in 2002 despite an estimated annual budget of around $300 million.
“This was a difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision,” he told a news conference in Tokyo. “Since last year … Details
www.stokednews.com
From Lewis Hamilton’s penalty in Australia to the spectacular debut of Abu Dhabi, Formula One had it all. And there are four extra teams next year to add to the fun
The contrast between the post-race scenes at the opening grand prix of the season in Australia and Sunday’s finale in Abu Dhabi could not have been more extreme. The balmy Middle East evening rounded off a weekend that had worked perfectly, provided a dramatic chase involving the new world champion and finished with tearful farewells and not a hint of protest or complaint … Details
www.stokednews.com
[ad#cor1]
Nick Heidfeld had an emotional last few laps with BMW-Sauber on Sunday, but a post-race gesture by the team’s founder might have cheered him up.
The Hinwil based team’s owner BMW now departs Formula One, and although bought by the Qadbak consortium, Sauber does not have a guaranteed entry to return to the grid in 2010.   … Details
www.stokednews.com
Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, and Mark Webber hung on for second to give Red Bull a one-two finish in the final Formula One race of the season.
Brawn GP driver Jenson Button, who had already wrapped up the drivers’ championship, was third after pushing Webber to the line. Rubens Barrichello and BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld rounded out the top five at the new Yas Marina circuit.
Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton …Â Details
www.stokednews.com