Formula One news

Toyota wants to stay, says Howett

Toyota's F1 president has spoken of the team's stance in the sport since last weekend's Monaco meetings between the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and governing body the FIA in Monaco, seemingly going back on previous remarks to signal that the outfit now hopes to remain in the sport.

Having commented on the Saturday of Spanish Grand Prix weekend (now over a fortnight ago) that the team was considering a walkout from F1 as a result of the FIA's £40m budget cap rule, Howett - also vice president for FOTA - explained his team's view after the last race weekend in Monte-Carlo. "I believe it is spin," he told Autosport of the Japanese squad's exit threats.

"It has been put there deliberately to create some more tension in the situation; I think that is going now wider than Toyota, onto one or more manufacturer teams. I don't know the source but I can only say - in our case - that there is a clear wish to enter next year's championship." He continued to describe that this task is now 'easier to say than do', however, with Friday being the entry deadline.

"It is the same with all major corporations - they have to look and say 'is this a sport in which we would like to be associated?'" he added. "You have to say that there have been a lot of tensions recently, but I think, with a proper governance structure, then it is no issue."

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