The end of manufacturer dominance in F1

Last week, Toyota announced their immediate withdrawal from the sport, citing economic difficulties as the reason. Added to that team president John Howett revealed that Toyota had already "discussed and rejected' the possibility of selling their Formula One team.

Toyota's demise leaves just three manufacturers in the sport, Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and Renault, however, the latter's future in Formula One is in doubt with reports claiming that they will leave at the end of next season.

But while manufacturers are walking away from F1, privateer teams are coming to the fore with four new outfits, Lotus, Manor GP, Campos and USF1 joining the fraternity next season.

"This week marked the end of manufacturer dominance in F1 – something that had been growing for a decade," Parr told the Financial Times.

"It's not that manufacturers are not welcome in F1; it's just that the math doesn't make sense.

"If you spend $750m a year to own an F1 team and come ninth two years in a row, you are going to stop. But for an independent, at times like these you just put your head down and keep going – because you have no choice."

But while Parr speaks of a changing era, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists that F1 has not be "fundamentally changed" by Toyota's withdrawal.

"Now is the time for all the stakeholders in F1 to pull together," Whitmarsh said. "F1 is still a sensible place and still a fascinating sport in which to invest and participate. People should stay calm because F1 has not been fundamentally changed by the announcement.

"If we continue to develop the working relationships between all of the parties we can make F1 better, more sustainable and more attractive to the fans." PlanetF1