Formula One news

Toyota not ruled by Japan

Toyota has denied it is still ruled from afar by a Japanese board. F1 president John Howett, who handles the day-to-day operation at Cologne HQ, said the grand prix squad works with 'quite a lot of autonomy.' "They don't control us," he added. "Operationally we can do what we need within the budget."

Still, team principal Tsutomu Tomita, a member of the Toyota board, is a kind of 'interface' between Tokyo's 'corporate policy' and Howett. John said: "He gives me advice. Tomita understands what Toyota is prepared to commit to from a corporate point of view."

He stamped on the suggestion, though, that every decision at Cologne - big or small - has to be 'cleared' via Japan. "Toyota is a passionate engineering company," said Howett, "and they want us to win. We have a lot of freedom."

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