Formula One news

FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) has expressed its gratitude to Toyota team President John Howett, who served as Vice Chairman for the group during its first season this year. The committee is sad to see the Japanese manufacturer leave the sport but hopes for its return in the future.

Howett addresses drivers in an emergency meeting at Istanbul Park in June

With FOTA having to cope with the loss of a second member this week, following the exit of BMW as well this year, the group issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon to state its 'sadness at the unexpected decision by Toyota'.

'Toyota has made a significant contribution to the success of Formula One for the past eight seasons, having recorded a number of podium finishes and other points-scoring results in that time,' an official statement reads. 'Regrettably, notwithstanding Toyota's commitment to compete until 2012 deriving from the signature of the Concorde Agreement, the particular financial pressures within the car manufacturing industry - together with a period of uncertainty and unnecessary confrontation in F1 that is now finally over - created conditions which have made it difficult for Toyota to stay in the sport at this time.'

As well as hoping that the marque will one day return to the sport, FOTA also sent out a message for the man who supported the group through a particularly difficult period over the summer, when the FIA/FOTA budget cap war was in full swing.

'FOTA also wishes to put on record its thanks to John Howett for his great passion and his fundamental contribution, in his role as Vice Chairman of FOTA, in helping negotiate the new Concorde Agreement, securing longer term stability in F1's rules and a more constructive, collaborative environment with all stakeholders,' the message concludes.

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