Hopefully we can survive without them - Button

2009 World Champion Jenson Button said that he is sad to see Toyota leave the pinnacle of motorsport. Yesterday, the Japanese manufacturer announced that it was pulling out of the sport after the 2009 season, despite signing the new Concorde Agreement which binded them to the sport until 2012.

Button said at the Race of Champions in Bejing: "It's sad. I thought they would continue, but they haven't been able to, which is a pity for Formula 1, and obviously a pity for Toyota.

"A little bit sad, and hopefully we can survive without them. Two manufacturers leaving this year.

"A couple of new teams are arriving, but they won't be competitive straight off, so it's sad, but they obviously have their reasons, as Honda did."