Toyota has balls. They’ve just released the new TF109 car for the 2009 Formula 1 Championship, online. I’m no marketing guru but isn’t it a smaller crowd to show off, rather than doing it offline with a lot of press that would write their articles in web-based magazines, too? With all the bad stuff involved with the financial crisis, rumors have it that unless the Japanese automaker won’t prove themselves (the whole team that is, including Jarno Truli, Timo Glock and Kamui Kobayashi) this could be Toyota’s last year in Formula 1. The car looks sleek, though. Isn’t it?

It’s official, Honda‘s CEO Takeo Fukui confirmed today that they’re withdrawing from Formula One ahead of the 2009 season. But what caused them to pull out? Apparently the economic downturn and the fact that they’re trying to reduce spendings and protect the main core instead. And considering that last month Honda saw a decline of more than 30 per cent in its biggest market, the US, the reason is pretty good. More to the whole deal, Honda also said that they’re not even going to supply other teams with engines, which may have interesting consequences. Meanwhile, we’ve been briefed that there are interested buyers who’d like to take over. – via Autosport

Those jerks guys at FIA are trying to push a new regulation starting with the 2010 F1 championship and that is standard engines for all teams. I’m not going to ramble on why I think that’s a very very very bad decision because you probably feel the same. However, I plan on telling you that hearing rumors that such a major rule might be in place from next year, Ferrari and Toyota already made up their minds. They’re going to pull out unless those brainless guys that rule F1 change their minds. I’m hoping for an alternative solution to spiraling costs associated with engine development, because standard engines is not yet a viable one. – via F1-live

Lewis Hamilton managed to lead from start to the end, in a race that only eight drivers managed to finish.  “Coming into a new season, turning over a new leaf, we really wanted to get off on the right foot” he said right after. The race was a catastrophe for Ferrari. Massa had an accident with Coulthard and retired during the 26th lap while Raikkonen suffered an engine failure, but still ranked 8th place and got 1 pt. Barrichello managed to get himself disqualified for exiting the pit lane while the red flag was waved.

Here are the official results of the 2008 Australian Grand Prix

1. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren 1:34:50.616
2. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber +00:05.478
3. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams – Toyota 00:08.163
4. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 00:17.181
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren 00:18.014
6. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams – Toyota 1 lap
7r. Sebastien Bourdais (France) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 3 laps
8r. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 5 laps
r. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 11 laps
r. Timo Glock (Germany) Toyota 15 laps
r. Takuma Sato (Japan) Super Aguri – Honda 26 laps
r. Nelsinho Piquet (Brazil) Renault 28 laps
r. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 29 laps
r. David Coulthard (Britain) RedBull – Renault 33 laps
r. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 39 laps
r. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India – Ferrari 50 laps
r. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull – Renault 56 laps
r. Jenson Button (Britain) Honda 57 laps
r. Anthony Davidson (Britain) Super Aguri – Honda 57 laps
r. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Toro Rosso – Ferrari 58 laps
r. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Force India – Ferrari 58 laps
DSQ Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda +00:52.453

note: r = retired, dsq = disqualified

photo by The_Eternity

After escaping from paying a 100 million Euro fine in the McLaren-spying scandal, Renault seems to afford paying a yearly rumored 30 million Euro salary to Fernando Alonso for a two year contract. I am sure the French team is doing a great move by bringing the Spanish drive, the 3rd in the 2007 championship (just 1 pt away from the title).

Along with Alonso, Nelson Piquet jr., the 22 year old Brazilian will come as the second driver. He’s been a Formula 1 test driver for one year and will have a lot to learn from the double world champion.

via BlogF1