Nevertheless, the Toyota officials have assured their fans that they're in Formula 1 for the long run and that having to comply to a standard powertrain will not determine the Japanese manufacturer to quit the sport. A statement was released by the team earlier today, suggesting that even if they don't leave the Great Circle in two years time, Toyota are still very much against introducing a standard unit in Formula 1.
“Toyota are committed to succeeding in Formula One for the long-term and our objective in Formula One is to win - we exist to win and we are committed to doing that. However, we believe Formula One must remain a technological challenge; this is an important point for Toyota and provided this does not change we expect to continue in F1 until at least 2012,” said the statement.
Nevertheless, Howett continued to warn FIA officials that standardized engines will leave serious marks in Formula One and will cause certain manufacturers to quit in the near future. “I think you will see manufacturers potentially leaving F1 if there is a standard engine. I don't think any of the manufacturers want a homogenized engine,” stated Howett in an interview for autosport.com.
Toyota's statement comes only hours after FIA released an announcement of its own, stating that they're moving ahead with plans to introduce a standardized unit by 2010. Not all manufacturers in F1 took the same stand as Toyota, as Ferrari officially announced that they will reconsider their position inside the sport if such a rule will be implemented in 2 years time.
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