Toyota Gets Green Flag for F1

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) secured the right to enter the ranks of Formula One World Championship Racing (F1) teams when the FIA (Federation Internationale de I'Automobile) certified Toyota to fill the 12th slot, the company said today.

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), TMC's Cologne, Germany-based motorsports subsidiary, and the FIA have completed a contract that opens the way for TMG's participation in the world's premier motorsports competition.

"The timing is right, the feel is right, and we are ready to go," said a jubilant Ove Andersson, President of TMG, after hearing the news.

Toyota has always held high the role of motorsports in expressing the essence of the automobile experience found in the sheer joy of driving, with a focus on creating a well-balanced mobile society. It hopes its F1 endeavors will serve as a cornerstone for moving forward along this course in the 21st century, and is aiming for the soonest possible date for active engagement as an independent works team. For this, Toyota will immediately boost its R&D efforts, enhance its investments for TMG in various facilities, including a wind-tunnel test facility, and sharpen its motorsports management acumen.

In taking up the F1 challenge, Toyota has sided with Michelin as its tire supplier, based on the two company's long cooperation in motorsports, which spans collaboration in the World Rally Championship, Le Mans 24-hour races and the All-japan GT Championship. Joint projects are already under way aimed at a successful Toyota F1 debut.