Mar.22 (GMM) In the wake of its withdrawal from formula one, and the lapsing of an arrangement with Stefan GP, there is still activity at Toyota's Cologne headquarters.

Sauber revealed in its official Australian GP media preview that Kamui Kobayashi, the Swiss team's new Japanese and Toyota-backed driver, learned the layout of the Albert Park circuit last week on the "Toyota simulator".

When it became clear after scrutineering for the 2010 opener in Bahrain that Stefan GP would not be racing, Toyota issued a media statement.

Stefan intended to race this year with Toyota's support and the Japanese marque's 2010 package, including a rebadged car and engine.

But with no entry for 2010, it is believed the Stefan/Toyota alliance therefore lapsed, with all the equipment sent to Bahrain set to be returned now to Cologne.

Toyota said on 12 March, the day of free practice in Bahrain, that its F1 factory now enters "a new era", with 200 staff still on site to serve "external clients".

As well as the driver simulator with "14 laser-mapped circuits", Toyota is offering for use its CFD capabilities, two wind tunnels, manufacturing machines and test rigs.

"We are excited by the challenges our various clients will bring us in 2010 and beyond," said executive vice president Yoshiaki Kinoshita.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version