Formula One news
Exclusive interview with John Howett
03 March 2006With just a week to go before the first Grand Prix of 2006, Formula 1 teams are busy with their final preparations. While some teams are still struggling, Toyota president John Howett feels his team is ready for the first race. F1Racing.net reporter Stijn Keuris caught up with him.
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Is there any difference in the work that is being done when the first Grand Prix is just a week away?
Not really. We have a new aero package, which looks good. But development in Formula 1 never stops. We are on schedule; we always try to find more performance. But we are more or less on schedule.
Toyota started working on the V8 engine and new car very early. Is that why you are on schedule now, while other teams like McLaren have struggled a bit?
I think each team chooses it's own direction. We thought it was best to start early. I don't think we have a problem at all with the V8. It was quite challenging to develop it, but now we have a good, complete package at Toyota.
Will 2006 be the best year for Toyota so far?
It's always difficult to predict. We have worked very hard during the winter and we want to be the fastest Bridgestone runner. That basically means we have to be in front of Williams and Ferrari, which will be a challenge. Depending on the competitiveness of the tyres, we hope to be in a position to win a race.
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When you signed up with Bridgestone did you already know they would be the only tyre supplier in F1 in 2007?
I didn't know that. We had a very good relationship with Michelin, but decided it would be a good time to look at Bridgestone. We always understood that Michelin would withdraw if there was going to be a single tyre supplier in Formula 1, while Bridgestone said they preferred competition, but would fight to stay if a rule like that came up. Our feeling was that if the decision was made, Bridgestone was more committed to stay in, even if it wasn't their preference.
Isn't it strange that some top teams are switching to Bridgestone this year, while Bridgestone had a very difficult year in 2005?
You could see it like that, but don't forget they have won many championships. Bridgestone is still a very good tyre supplier. We felt they would bounce back and supply very good tyres during the season.
The Bridgestone teams have been sharing information on tyre testing this winter. How is that cooperation going?
My understanding is that the Michelin teams are probably doing the same now, because of the new regulations. All the Bridgestone teams want the tyres to be good. We all have different cars, but Bridgestone offers some variation with the different compounds.
Max Mosley said that there will be some sort of ultimatum for the teams to enter the 2008 championship. What do you make of that?
We have to wait and see how the regulations will change and what the period of application is. If you look at the regulations now, teams can apply till November this year for entering the championship the next year. I think it would be sad if the manufactures won't be involved in Formula 1 anymore, but I think we will reach a good compromise.
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Is a breakaway from F1 still a possibility?
I think it's not something anyone would like to see happening. A lot of manufactures have a bad experience with the situation in the USA, with IRL and CART. But there are basic principles the manufactures would like to see: transparency, the distribution of funds to smaller teams as well, things like that. I think these areas are being achieved. In the end Formula 1 will benefit.
Do you think there are too many changes in the regulations?
I think the issue is it costs quite some money. In terms of safety, for example, it's necessary to reduce power. But you also have to make sure you have a competitive grid for the fans. It's not changed for the sake of change, but changed with a sensible target. It is the same for all of the teams.
How is Toyota's relationship with Midland?
Very good. We basically supply them with the same engine that we are working with and by using more engines we get more information. We are quite happy with our partnership with them.
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| Albers at Midland |
There are rumors of Toyota taking over Midland in the future, as a second team, like Red Bull now has Scuderia Toro Rosso.
I don't think we want a second team. We decided to supply engines because there was a shortage of engines in Formula 1. Therefore we wanted to do it. That commitment of providing contribution to the sport as a manufacture is accepted by Toyota. But I don't think having a second team is our ambition.
Can you understand the decision of Red Bull, taking over Minardi to have a second team?
It's their decision. For us one full time team is enough. On the performance point of view, I think one team is enough.
Do you agree that Toro Rosso can use a limited V10 engine?
From my perspective, the original spirit of the regulations was that some of the smaller teams might not have the resources to adapt to the V8. If you look at the profits of Red Bull, they probably do have the needed resources. I don't know many sports where a equivalence has worked defectively. Provided the FIA honour the commitment they put forward, we have no reason to believe they won't. There will be absolutely no advantage in running a V10.
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