AUGUST 14, 2006

Toyota abandons GPMA

Toyota has quit the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association. This leaves BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Honda as the only serious members of the organization. Renault joins when there is something to be gained and jumps ship when it suits it to do so. The GPMA has achieved some of its goals and Toyota is painting it withdrawal as being in order not to inhibit the other members on their latest strategic plan to contain the FIA. Toyota obviously wants no part of this. It is not clear what the Japanese company does want apart from no more conflict.

The GPMA says that it will continue its efforts to address the long term strategic issues of Formula 1 and the manufacturers and their teams remain dedicated to establishing a satisfactory regulatory structure and finalizing a new Concorde Agreement.