Toyota consider leaving F1 for Le Mans

UPDATE Earlier today we reported that Toyota is considering a program to compete at Le Mans and possibly in the American Le Mans Series.

The company confirmed to Racing-Live.com this afternoon they remain committed to Formula One until at least 2012 but do admit that the series 'must remain a technological challenge' on a day when the FIA reiterated its plans for standard engines from 2010.

"Toyota is 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," Toyota told us in a statement.

"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 Formula One until at least 2012."

"Toyota has never hidden its interest in considering new motorsport opportunities, including Le Mans, currently no formal plan nor decision has been made on changes or additions to the current programs."

10/27/08 (GMM) Clear signs are emerging that Toyota could be contemplating its future on the formula one grid.

The Japanese giant, which entered the sport in 2002, was perhaps the most enraged among F1's manufacturer ranks at the proposal of a single engine formula.

Even though that prospect has receded, Toyota Motorsport president John Howett recently admitted the move "would be a reason" for the Cologne based team to quit F1.

Now, in the pages of the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, it is suggested that Toyota sees returning to Le Mans-style prototype sports car racing as an alternative to F1 beyond 2010.

At this year's Le Mans 24 hour race, for instance, a dozen uninformed Toyota engineers were present, armed with cameras and reportedly sizing up the current competitors.

Additionally, at the American Le Mans Series race in Detroit in August, Toyota officials met with representatives of the series' organizing body ACO.

"We would like to go back to Le Mans," Toyota's F1 team boss Tadashi Yamashina confirms. "The final decision is budgetary.

"Under the present economic conditions, it is unlikely that we could do formula one and Le Mans in a parallel fashion," he explained.