The mothballed Toyota Formula One project has "relinquished" it's entry for the 2010 season, according to media reports today, leaving the path free for the Sauber team to slot in to the 13th spot on next season's bumper entry list.
According to a report from Autosport, the Toyota F1 team has "no intention" of trying to sell their F1 entry for next season, though discussions over its 2010 car design remain ongoing.
The report quashed recent rumours that the mysterious Stefan GP team were angling for a deal that would see them take over Toyota's grid spot, in a move that was reported to be in the offing in order to prevent Toyota from receiving a massive fine from the governing body.
The move to end speculation as to whether Toyota's entry could be sold means that Sauber are virtually certain to be offered the final grid slot for next season, with Peter Sauber set to take back control of his team from BMW as soon as their entry is confirmed.
A source within Toyota was quoted as saying that: "We have returned our entry to the FIA and have no intention or wish to influence or interfere in the allocation process. That is a matter for the Federation.
"We are discussing a settlement with Bernie on the basis of goodwill and what is acceptable to all parties."
The FIA will not fully confirm the 2010 entry list until it is satisfied with the legal position of Toyota over their sudden withdrawal. The team signed the new Concorde Agreement which effectively bound them to F1 until 2012.
The provisional entry list published earlier this week featured only 12 teams.
The Toyota source also confirmed that discussions were ongoing to sell off resources from the F1 project, including the 2010 car design, pit lane equipment and even potentially an engine supply. Though they confirmed interest from Stefan GP as to purchasing the design of the car, the source also said that it was unclear as to whether the Serbian team would make the 2010 grid.
However they did reveal that Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi could well head to the team as part of the deal for the designs. The Toyota company has insisted that it will fight to get the Japanese driver onto the grid for 2010, despite not having a team of their own any more.
"We have offered the IP of our 2010 car for a nominal fee to some of the new entrants but none have accepted," the source was quoted as saying, "We have interest from Stefan GP but it is not clear if they will receive an entry or not.
"We have asked if Kobayashi could be part of the package."
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