Formula One's governing body, the FIA, says it is concerned at the spate of F1 exit announcements that came this week, as Toyota and Bridgestone confirmed plans to leave the sport. While Bridgestone will stay as F1's official tyre supplier until the end of 2010, Toyota's departure will come into effect immediately.

The FIA is now seeking legal advice as to Toyota's move to exit the sport, just weeks after the Japanese manufacturere committed to the sport until 2012 by renewing the Concorde Agreement. The legal inquiries “will have a direct bearing on the admission of any future 13th entry”, as the former BMW Sauber team waits in the wings to take the vacant 2010 slot.

“The announcements this week by Toyota and Bridgestone of their withdrawal from Formula One are of concern to the FIA,” read a statement from the FIA. “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.”

Toyota's F1 withdrawal comes despite the teams having agreed to a raft of cost-cutting measures aimed at drastically reducing budgets in the coming years, with the aim of keeping major manufactureres such as Toyota involved in F1, while making the sport viable for independents.

“The FIA has repeatedly warned that motor sport cannot outpace the world economic crisis. That is why the competing teams have been asked to cut costs and the entry of independent teams has been encouraged,” continued the FIA.

“The FIA accepted the cost-reduction measures put forward by the teams on the basis that they would ensure a long-term commitment to the championship. Toyota's announcement demonstrates the importance of the original cost-reduction measures set out by the FIA.”

The FIA has vowed to continue pushing teams to make cost-cuts to ensure the future of the sport.

“The FIA will now work to ensure that Toyota's departure is managed in the best interests of the championship and will continue to encourage the F1 teams to undertake the necessary cost-cutting measures for the good of the sport.”