One of the more interesting stories of this week, although not as imporant as Toyota’s exit from F1, was the accusation from Force India’s senior management of concerns regarding the new Lotus F1 teams car.

Photos of the windtunnel model of the first Lotus were released a few weeks ago, and a paddock mole rooted out that Force India’s top management had held meetings regarding what it felt was robbery of design and intellectual property.

It is alleged, that the front wing assembly especially, and other dimensions of the model are sharing exact replicas of aerodynamic pieces and sizes used on early versions of Force India’s 2009 car.

The model, created by a company called Fondtech, a parent company of Aerolab worked with Force India until midway through 2009, when their partnership with Lotus was announced.  Fondtech, based in Italy, have made this model for Lotus’ windtunnel testing use.  Mike Gascoyne is the senior technical director of the team, overseeing large parts of the design and recently worked with Force India.

Following big stories like crash-gate and spy-gate this seems relatively minor, and considering Scuderia Toro Rosso used repaints of Red Bull’s cars and have done since their entry into F1 in 2006, it seems almost trivial.  But it is interesting to see this element of design carried over, and with a ruling stating no two cars can have the exact replica designs to cut out “customer cars” as part of the 2010 regulations and FOTA’s preferred regulations, it will be interesting to see if the FIA take any action over the allegeations.

Mike Gascoyne gave a short interview to Autosport Magazine who brought these allegations to the public eye.  He claims that generic wings were used on the model, almost suggesting that because of Fondtech’s recent partnership with Force India that the designs could be very similar.

“It [The Windtunnel Model] is based around a 2010 chassis, because there is a big fuel volume in it, it has a Cosworth engine, an Xtrac gearbox, our suspension, and other stuff designed by us. The Fondmetal guys put some generic bodywork on [for the tests].” Gascyone told Autosport

“Some of the staff had been working on different projects. And whereas you cannot copy anything or take anyone else’s IP, you can use your expertise – and you will base that on what you know and what directions you know have been happening. That is what has happened.”

Aerolab, the front base of operations for parent company Fondtech have not taken the criticisms lightly and are now sueing Force India over breaches of contract.

“It is quite unusual for us to comment on negative matters but we have been given no other choice but to make public the facts after press reports in recent days suggested that Aerolab has passed on information to parent company Fondtech which enjoys a close technical relationship with Lotus F1 Racing,” said Aerolab’s managing director Jean-Claude Migeot.

“These rumours are designed only to tarnish the company’s reputation and professionalism and to divert attention away from the facts.

“The truth is that Aerolab is suing Force India for not fulfilling its obligations.”

Quite a storm has been created down the end of the grid, so we shall keep looking at what occurs with the allegeations, in a week where Force India recieved nearly $5million payout from Etihad Airlines for cutting short its contract and swapping to sponsor front runners Scuderia Ferrari.

Lotus' windtunnel model

Force India's 2009 launch car, very similar

Front 3/4 of the Lotus

The above winglet from the Force India is a telling design when compared to the Lotus, apart from the two tier winglet which goes towards the nose from the end plate, the design of that winglet is replicated onto the Lotus.  Te curved end plate with small carbon upright is also evident on the black Lotus aerodynamic model above.  As are the sweeping carbon pieces which direct airflow under the car.

Petronas, the malaysian oil and fuel company are said to be an in-demand sponsor for teams tonight as much of the pitlane is searching for a lucrative deal.

The company who have been involved in Formula One for many years with Sauber, and then later BMW are now out of contract following the German manufacturers withdrawl from F1.

“Petronas’ partnership with the BMW Sauber team, which is a progression of its earlier relationship with Sauber, has now come to an end following BMW’s decision to exit Formula One at the end of the season,” the company said in a statement.

It is believed if Qadbak, the funding company behind Peter Sauber’s effort to bring his team back in place of BMW, especially now Toyota have freed up a grid slot, would continue the deal with Petronas.  However, Lotus F1 who are based around Malaysian government capital have said they are interested in tying up potentially a title sponsorship deal with them.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire F1 grid had approached them, because from our understanding Petronas was not obliged to remain as sponsor of Sauber,” Riad Asmat, the CEO of Lotus F1 told the New Straits Times.

Kamui Kobayashi has stated he is now targetting getting a contract with one of the four new F1 teams, preferably with the Lotus Grand Prix team.

Kobayashi was a Toyota test driver, who completed the last 2 races for the Japanese outfit who pulled out of F1 earlier this week.  Kobayashi, who admits he has no budget for next season and is concerned about going back to work in his father’s Sushi restaurant, has been seen as a potential new world champion after valiant performances.

“Obviously, my place at Toyota is lost,” the 23-year-old is quoted as saying.

“I was close to signing a contract for 2010, but there are four new teams and still options,” Kobayashi added. “If I could choose a team I would choose Lotus.”

However, Mike Gascoyne who is the new head of technical design at Lotus, and who has already landed himself in hot water and an argument with Force India about whether he has put their 2009 wing on the new 2010 Lotus, reckons he wants some experienced drivers.

“We are looking for two drivers with experience,” he told Autosport.com

“We are not looking for pay drivers or new drivers. We think that is very important for the team.”

Gascoyne also confirmed the rumours that Jarno Trulli is at the top of the wanted list for the team. “He [Trulli] is one of the guys we would like to have. Jarno has, over one lap, always been sensational. That is even more important in a new team because you need to know where you are on a Saturday. Jarno can always give you that.”

Jacques Villeneuve and Christian Klien have also held talks with Lotus over a potential future drive.

Kimi Raikkonen is being touted as spending 2010 on the sidelines after contract talks with McLaren hit the rocks.

The Finn has been ousted from his seat with Ferrari a season early after the Italian car manufacturer opted to bring former two time world champion Fernando Alonso to the team.

If Raikkonen spends 2010 without a race seat, Ferrari are set to pay Raikkonen some €17million, but if he gets a seat they will pay him just €10million.  The latter figure sounds a lot, and McLaren think so too with Raikkonen’s contract offer being at just €5million, it means he could spend the season on sabbatical and earn more than if he were driving.

With Raikkonen’s commitment to F1 at a low, he could spend the season out of racing or perhaps trying his hand at WRC, both Citroen Motorsport and Ford have expressed interest in the 2007 F1 Champion.

Whatever happens, McLaren are now looking for another potential driver now it looks like Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg will be forming a partnership at Brawn, as Mercedes Benz look set to pay the salaries.

Rubens Barrichello has visited the Williams F1 Team factory at Grove, Oxfordshire today to have a look around and to get to know some of the people who will help him fight for 2010 title better.

Barrichello took time out to see the factory and also walk the hallowed territory through the famous private museum.  Both locations, I have visited (see: http://f1fanatics.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/my-day-at-the-williams-factory-thanks-to-philips/  ) and can vouch for their quality and brilliance.

“I am going to realise a dream, because ever since I saw F1 on TV for the first time, I have dreamed of driving for them,” Barrichello told O Globo the Brazilian TV channel this morning.

Rubens also revealed that he had contract talks with McLaren, and that he only had a contract for the first 4 races of the season with Brawn in 2009, with the rest of his contract being based on performances.

Meanwhile new team mate Nico Hulkenberg says he wants to match Rubens’ pace, and hopefully beat the veteran challenger on a few occassions.

The German GP2 Champion also pointed out he would be stupid to ignore the advice of a driver with so much experience.

“I hope that I’ll be on his pace right from the beginning and that I can match his speed and results – and maybe even beat him at some point!” 22-year-old Nico told reporters on Wednesday. “I just want to have the best team-mate I can get; one who’s quick, experienced and a good driver – and that’s what I see in him.”

On the day Toyota bowed out of Formula One, we take a look back at some of their high and low points in photos to remember the great Japanese manufacturers time at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Toyota spent 2001 testing around the world

Then the real launch came in 2002, with much promise and funding

Things looked good too, as Mika Salo scored the team's first point in their maiden GP

But things went downhill from there, and 2002 was summed up by Allan McNish's 200mph horror crash at Suzuka

Things looked up for 2003 with Olivier Panis getting 4th place in Qualifying early in the season

Cristiano da Matta went on better and led for a part of the 2003 British Grand Prix

However their luck slumped again in 2004, with both drivers being disqualified at the Canadian Grand Prix

Before Da Matta left and was replaced by Ricardo Zonta

2005 saw Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli put the team to their best ever finish

Trulli got their first podium, a 2nd place at the 2005 Malaysian Grand Prix

However 2006/7 were poor seasons, leading to expensive Ralf Schumacher being dropped at the end of the season

For 2008 promising star Timo Glock was brought in, and is the team's most successful driver by points with an average of just under 2 per race

For 2009 the car was quick, but they were embroiled in the "illegal" diffuser row

Good results were few and far between, and Glock's season ended with a massive shunt in Japan

Before Kamui Kobayashi, the promising youngster, delivered Toyota's final points in their final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The news I broke yesterday on the blog has turned out to be true, the Toyota F1 Team are pulling out of the sport and will not be present on the grid at the first race of the season in 2010.

There had been rumours of a move out of F1, when the company saw its first ever loss in profits.  Also signs when Fuji Speedway, their circuit, was dropped from the calendar.  Although signing up to the concorde agreement stating they would be present until 2012, no-one really thought it would be true, and the team would be pulling out at the end of 2010 after operating the season with a reduced budget.

Where the team goes from here is unknown, it could turn into a satellite operation, an independent team via management buy out, or even possibly become the new Sauber team.

The long official statement from Toyota’s Chief Executive’s read:

“Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula 1 world championship at the end of the 2009 season,”

“TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year.

“However, 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″

“TMC also wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to all Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers to date and to all Toyota Motorsport GmbH employees who have helped make the team’s achievements possible,” said the statement.

“TMC intends to do its best to find a solution for those parties who will be affected by any inconvenience this decision may cause.”

“In motorsports, [Toyota] will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motorsports by supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate.”

Toyota Team Profile

Breaking News:  Reports on a Japanese newspaper’s website says that the Toyota Formula One team are pulling out of the sport with immediate effect.

The downbeat report by The Mancini Newspaper states that Japan is now without a Formula One Team, hanks to the recession and the millions of dollars to which it takes to run a team.  The decision seems to have come from the board of directors, as opposed to John Howett the team boss.

An article in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport released today said that there would be a new announcement on November 8, but if this new article is to be believed then that decision has already been taken.

However there is a glimmer of hope, the article states they may try and run 2010 as a satellite style operation, similar to the Hayate rnu Kawasaki in MotoGP, where the funds and development are limited but staff and technical help is still available.

If not, the place is likely to be awarded to the Sauber team.  For Kobayashi, possibly the most promising newcomer to F1, he could try and join a new team but if unsuccessful the Japanese was worried he would have to abandon racing and go back to working in his father’s Sushi bar!

MORE NEWS WHEN IT COMES – STAY TUNED!

Red Bull Racing are likely to announce within the next few days that they are going to continue with their current supplier of engines, Renault.

The team, based in Milton Keynes but backed by the Austrian Energy drinks company, have had Renault engines since 2007.  It is their third supplier of engines, the other two being Ferrari (2006) and Cosworth (2005).

With the lower power output, there was talk Red Bull could move to German supplier Mercedes Benz who have had success with Brawn this season.

However with the new refuelling rules, Christian Horner reckons the more frugal French engine is the way to go.

“Since Monza, Renault have remarkably raised their game and done everything they could for us to have such a strong finish of the year”, said team boss Christian Horner.

“Renault has fuel-efficient engines which will be very important in 2010.”

Fernando Alonso will not get trhe opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 Car until February 2010 it was revealed today.

The reason is unknown, but could relate to him still being locked into a Renault contract or potential sponsorship constraints.

This means that majority of the testing and development will have to be done by Felipe Massa, unless the team bring in Michael Schumacher to assist.  From what we saw of Giancarlo Fisichella and Luca Badoer it is likely without much testing Alonso could struggle with the Ferrari.

“I will not get to drive the car. This doesn’t give me a lot of chances to give any input up until February 2010, when I’ll get to drive the car for the first time.” Alonso is quoted as saying on Formula1Blogger

“Up until that point I will try to understand how the team works and prepare for the winter testing as well as I can.”