Toyota bosses say 2009 will be a make-or-break season that will determine whether the manufacturer continues to participate in Formula 1.
Toyota’s F1 president John Howett said that the team had “no future” if it had a weak ‘09 campaign.
And while Howett played down suggestions that this goal was an ultimatum, he admitted the team’s future was on the line.
“We have a great team of people and I think we just feel it’s about time we won,” he said.
“We need a strong season. If we have a weak season we have no future.”
“It’s our desire and our passion, shared by our people in Cologne, and we feel we must win to secure a very bright future in Formula 1.”
Howett and his management colleagues have set the target of securing Toyota’s first race victory in 2009, and driver Jarno Trulli said just before the recent launch that a win within six races in 2009 is necessary.
Team principal Tadashi Yamashina suggested that Toyota’s outgoing president, Katsuaki Watanabe, had recently overseen a review of the formula one project.
“Fortunately for us, our president decided that we will stay (in F1),” he said.
“This season is therefore very important for us. We need to reduce costs and demonstrate to Toyota that the investment in formula one is worthwhile,” he added.
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