Was Yamamoto's drive linked to Toyota F1 assets?

[John S]

Without any clear explanation about promoting Yamamoto to the HRT race seat for Silverstone these extracts, from a piece on jamesallenonf1.com, offer two possible explanations. The first is that Senna is being disciplined for some reason, the second could be a deal linked to aquisition of assets from the former Toyota F1 team. It's well known that HRT has ended the deal with Dallara and will need to develop a chassis themselves for next year, so why start that process with the 2010 Toyota as a base.

It appears not necessarily to be a money issue, although Yamamoto believed to have $5 million budget and the team needing money. I understand that there may be a disciplinary angle to this. A statement went out from the team this afternoon which said nothing about the reasons for the switch beyond them wanting to give one of the other drivers a go.

Senna’s deal with the team dates back to before the season, when the team was called Campos. It was based on the team being able to use the Senna name to attract sponsors. Senna and his family were not wanting to be obliged to provide budget for the drive.

Meanwhile it appears that the team may have acquired some of the assets of the Toyota team in Cologne. Serbian F1 aspirants Stefan GP had announced their intention to buy the Toyota chassis before the season, while more recently ART GP looked at buying the cars for a potential entry next season as the 13th team.

ART have officially withdrawn now from the race for the 13th franchise, citing unfavourable economic conditions.

Jamesallenonf1.com, July 9.

[Jericoke]

Probably a lot of little things coming together.

Honestly, if I was one of the bigger teams, I might consider tossing the small teams some cash to run a driver to see how they would work out in F1.  (Of course, all the top teams already have their 2011 line up settled, don't they?)

The FIA might even encourage the smaller teams to run some promising drivers, perhaps a reward system from lower Formulae?  (I can appreciate how insulting this would be to the professional drivers being displaced... but the bills gotta be paid.)

[Monty]

Typical James Allen ...   stating the obvious.

Clearly HRT were either taking the money or slapping Bruno's wrists, but which was it

Perhaps both. If it was only the money, why drop Senna and not the other driver?

[John S]

 

Clearly HRT were either taking the money or slapping Bruno's wrists, but which was it

Now that's the $64 million question, no one seems to know real the answer, which is why there is so much speculation about it. Perhaps it was neither, or could it be a goodwill element to Toyota and Yamamoto's backers for help in making a deal on the chassis?

If it was only the money, why drop Senna and not the other driver?

Karun had just brought money into the team with new sponsors, the Indian Grand Prix organisers Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), on the car from the British GP. Now I'm just guessing but this new sponsor came on board because of Karun's nationality, can't imagine them taking kindly to Chandock not running at Silverstone.

[Monty]

Of course. I hadn't thought about the timeline but Karun must have known about his Indian mafia deal before the decision on Senna was taken.

Pleased for Karun. He seems like a good guy. However, it is a bit rough for Senna who is clearly the best driver of the three.