Motor racing-Toyota to supply Midland with engines in 2006

Motor racing-Toyota to supply Midland with engines in 2006

BUDAPEST, July 30 (Reuters) - Toyota will supply the Midland Formula One team, currently Jordan, with engines next year, the two sides announced on Saturday.

Jordan, bought by Russian-born Canadian billionaire Alex Shnaider this year, already use Toyota engines and the renewal was expected.

Toyota said terms of the deal would be similar to the existing contract and Midland would receive the same specification engines as the carmaker's own team.

"We are very pleased that Jordan Grand Prix and Midland have opted to renew the one-year contract," said Toyota motorsport chairman Tsutomu Tomita at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"It has always been a priority for Toyota to support the independent teams in Formula One, so we are happy to be in a position to continue this successful collaboration with the team for 2006.

"We are in an advanced stage of our V8 engine programme for next season and by finalising this new one-year deal with Jordan Grand Prix and Midland for 2006 at an early stage we will be able to accelerate development."

The Midland deal rules out any lingering possibility of Williams using Toyota engines next year, leaving that team with a choice between Cosworth and BMW.

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The current toyota engines used in F1 are pretty powerful already. Wonder if they'll improve on the design for next year or just make more adjustments and improvements to the current engine. I think the engine has potential, but seriously Jordan get some better drivers to compete. I know you don't have the budget some teams do, but that's what scouting is for.