Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 8th November

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Toyota Leave F1

The team announce their decision to quit…

• “When considering TMC’s motorsports actitives next year and beyond from a comprehensive mid-term viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1.” Statement from Toyota
  
• “The decision by Toyota Motor Corporation to withdraw from Formula 1 with immediate effect is deeply regretted but underlines the importance of all stakeholders in the sport working together to ensure a profitable and sustainable future.” Mark Gallagher, Cosworth boss
  
• “The announcements this week by Toyota and Bridgestone of their withdrawal from Formula One are of concern to the FIA. Bridgestone has given almost 18 months’ notice of its intentions, thereby allowing the necessary arrangements to be made for the future supply of tyres to the championship. Toyota’s decision, however, comes just weeks after its F1 team signed the new Concorde Agreement until 2012.” Statement from the FIA
  

Team Movements

Personnel saying goodbye and hello…

• “We are very pleased for Rubens that he will be driving in Formula 1 once again next year. Rubens was with our team for four years and we regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team over that period was significant.” Ross Brawn
  
• “Dr Kolles has held positions as team principal, director and the managing director of the team during his tenure. We thank Dr Kolles for his contributions during his term and wish him success in his future endeavours.” Statement from Force India
  
• “This decision doesn’t surprise me, even though this doesn’t sadden me any less especially for the people in the team, with whom I’ve had a fine relationship and with whom I hope to be able to work again in the future.” Jarno Trulli
  

Looking Ahead

Teams want the next season to begin already…

• “The team is doing fantastically well, we have a great atmosphere, everybody for sure now needs the break to relax a little bit with the family. But at the same time I know that everybody is extremely motivated to come back as soon as possible, build the new car and make the next season better than this.” Sebastian Vettel
  
• “It’s a team and a marque born for competition and so you know they are going to give it all for their car, and you know that Ferrari is usually among the first. Sometimes they win titles, sometimes they don’t, but they never have a year that’s too bad. I think going to Ferrari is the safest option for any driver.” Fernando Alonso
• “The way these guys learned to anticipate what will happen, what will be the next tenth of a second and so on, I think this five/six months period was probably the best learning history in the history of McLaren, in the history of our team definitely, and it shows this team is stronger than ever.” Norbert Haug