Toyota keen to share engines

Toyota seeks stability with the new rules and a reduction in testing. This would reduce the need to build more engines and increase the time spent on its manufacturing capabilities. Should this happen, Toyota has admitted that it would be ready to supply a second team with power plants, with Jordan a strong contender.

"If the capability is there then we can do it," Toyota's F1 president John Howett told Autosport. "But with the engine regulations in such a state of flux at the moment we cannot say anything for definite just yet."

Jordan currently runs Ford's Cosworth engines and has a contract with the Blue Oval for next season, but Autosport believes there are clauses in the deal that would allow the team to switch to Toyota. To assist the cost, Jordan could provide Toyota test driver Ryan Briscoe a seat or even allow the team to use it Brackley windtunnel.

A decision is not expected until next year's rules have been agreed. The FIA has already put forward its proposals for the 2005 season and beyond which would see a switch to a two-race engine next year and a 2.4 litre V8 unit in 2006.

Teams and engine manufacturers have until September 6 to come up with another 'satisfactory' proposal and the latter met at the German GP last weekend to discuss the options. While no decision was made, BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen believes they will come up with a viable solution.

We are not there yet, but we are close," he told Autosport. "We need to go for a majority vote."