Comments on: Why Are Toyota Competing In Formula One?

By: The Most Improved Team Of 2008? » BlogF1

The Most Improved Team Of 2008? » BlogF1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:11:01 +0000

[...] I would be talking about either Red Bull Racing or Force India the most, but as it turns out, the team I used to berate with some regularity has shown real signs of getting it together again. Toyota’s last great campaign was back in [...]

By: BlogF1 - Your Regular Blog and Guide to Formula One » Jarno Trulli’s Mood Swings & Toyota’s Pace

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:57:18 +0000

[...] Why Are Toyota Competing In Formula One? [...]

By: Alianora La Canta

Alianora La Canta — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:27:12 +0000

My guess, from the confusion there seems to be between words and actions, is that Toyota really are in it to win it - but haven’t got that message through to everyone in the upper hierarchy, let alone figured out the basic lessons on how to do it.

Oh, and the conversation Brad mentions reminds me of someone else who said something very similar about their team. It was Alex Shnaider, talking about Jordan at the time he renamed it Midland, ten months before he sold it to Spyker. Not the greatest of omens…

By: Gary Shavit

Gary Shavit — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:25:33 +0000

Read Allan McNish’s comments about Toyota (on Autosport.com). There may be people there who know what is needed to win. (At least there was with Gascoyne.) But will it ever be implemented with the present structure? Not likely.
They have to see that even Honda is going for a Team Boss structure that can get things done.

Gary Shavit
Netanya Israel

By: Oliver White

Oliver White — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:21:01 +0000

Wow, thanks guys. There are some great comments here and some interesting ideas. I’m pleased I’m not the only one puzzled by Toyota.

@Steven: Check out Brad’s post regarding a possible change in the ownership structure of Williams. I always presumed Toyota would eventually buy-out Frank’s team and use them as a satellite squad. But apparently that may now be off-the-cards.

By: Brad Spurgeon

Brad Spurgeon — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:47:44 +0000

That probably pokes a definitive hole in the whole argument, Milos!

By: milos

milos — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:32:09 +0000

presence is important to them perhaps, but then they should work on it. just walk around the mecrahndising area of any F1 race and look for the most boring booth with the most boring merchandise … look around the grandstands and try to find some fans wearing Toyota shirts or caps (Fuji may be an exemption but even there Honda and Super Aguri fans probably rule…)… Toyota does poor job both on and off the track and do not really see how a POOR presence in the top echelon of motorsport can help a company like Toyota (unless the tax write off is indeed the benefit they are after )

By: Steven Royry

Steven Royry — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:55:22 +0000

You don’t make as many changes as Toyota have unless you want to be competitive. If you are only there to be seen then why not keep the same people together because it is a well proven fact that consistency of personnel brings results so if you only want to be seen and not spend more than necessary that is the way to do it. The Mike Gascoyne signing cost a lot of money and the only justification for that is to produce results.

I think they want to succeed but cannot bring themselves culturally do what is necessary to succeed. Anyone moving into a new competitive environment looks at what the successful people are doing and either copy it or adopt the bits you think will benefit you.

I can’t see anything changing dramatically at Toyota over the next couple of years. If I had to run the Toyota F1 operation and keep within their culture I would drop the team and supply engines to Williams and supply 100% of their sponsorship and let Frank do the winning in a car that had Toyota written all over it. If they started that now they could have a championship in two years.

By: Brad Spurgeon

Brad Spurgeon — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:45:07 +0000

Craig, that’s a pertinent point. But it also makes me start to ask questions. A couple of years ago Toyota had what was perhaps not quite the best publicity: The biggest budget in the sport, nearly half a billion dollars spent per season. Is it possible they have greatly reduced the budget and been asked to increase the results? I guess these are questions that will make for a good story next year - after speaking to people at the team?!

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:46:46 +0000

Surely someone happy with just being in the sport and not winning wouldn’t necessarily be spending quite as much as Toyota are apparently spending year on year?