F1: FIA tells Toyota to look to its contracts

Pointing out that Bridgestone has given "almost 18 months notice" of its termination, the Toyota decision was made and announced to be "with immediate effect."

The FIA says "Urgent clarification is now being sought from the Toyota F1 team as to its legal position in relation to the championship. This will have a direct bearing on the admission of any future 13th entry."

But it does not expect Toyota to stay: "The FIA will now work to ensure that Toyota’s departure is managed in the best interests of the championship."

The FIA blathers on about why cost-cutting measures are so important.

But in truth, it's results that matter: top teams don't quit.

Even Renault is reconsidering its position after Alonso couldn't persuade their car to be quicker than an Abu Dhabi camel - whilst their engines pushed Red Bull to their fourth 1-2 of the season.

News on Renault is expected in the next day or two. The team leaders have been told to appear before the French company's main board where they will give evidence but have no vote on the decision.

After the departure of Honda, BMW and now Toyota, only Renault and Ferrari are manufacturer's teams.

2010 is beginning to look like F1 looked in the mid 1970s: racing cars built by racing teams with engines bought in from specialist providers.

It's not how the FIA or Bernie Ecclestone viewed the future of the sport, but the good news is that it will no longer be beholden to commercial interests.