Honda set to reveal F1 exit plans

[VTEC@14.7psi]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72319

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Formula One is bracing itself for an announcement by the Honda Racing team on Friday morning that could pave the way for one of grand prix racing's biggest names to exit the sport.

Amid the worldwide financial downturn and the impact that has had on Honda's car sales, it is understood that the Brackley-based team's future is now in serious doubt.

Insiders have told autosport.com that the team's senior staff were called for a meeting at the factory on Thursday afternoon and informed that Honda in Japan were no longer willing to bankroll the outfit.

It is suggested that the team will be put up for sale - and if no buyer is found by March then the manufacturer will simply pull the plug and withdraw from the sport.

Amid the current financial climate, it is unclear where Honda Racing would hope to find a buyer willing to support a Formula One team - with budgets already in excess of £100 million per year.

There are suggestions, however, that Honda may be willing to offload the team free of charge to anyone willing to support it - and they could even continue to supply engines for a period of time until another technical partner is found.

However, sources have suggested that team principal Ross Brawn is already eyeing a tie-up with Ferrari for power-units should a buyer be found - with the Italian manufacturer having spare capacity now after ending their deal with Force India.

It is understood that Brawn and F1 CEO Nick Fry are scheduled to fly to meetings in Tokyo on Monday to discuss the future of the team with Japanese bosses - and especially define what happens if no buyer is found.

Honda Racing remained silent about the speculation on Thursday evening, with neither press officers nor senior team personnel available for comment. It is understood the staff informed of the decision were told not to discuss the matter prior to an official announcement being made.

It is expected Honda will issue a press release early on Friday morning revealing their plans. It comes after a challenging year for the team, which had begun a rebuilding process under the leadership of Brawn.

Any pullout by Honda Racing will send shockwaves through F1, and cast question marks over the future of other manufacturers' longterm participation. It would also come several months after FIA president Max Mosley warned that the sport was unsustainable at the moment because of the high costs needed to compete.

It would also mean the grid being reduced to just 18 cars, and would leave drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello without seats.
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:( oh shit :(

[Kenshin3180]

Noooooooo!

Breaks my heart :unlove:

[AusAccord]

oh, not interest in F1 anymore if Honda is gone :(

[EuroAccord13]

Pulling out could save the company a lot of money, not necessarily a bad thing considering the F1 team is not doing really well, they will never be able to bring themselves up to their former glory of the 60s and 70s.

That being said, I feel sad for Button and Chello for losing their contracts should Honda cane the F1 team.

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

mmm this doesn't make me happy but at the same time i want to say "FINALLY!!!!"

[Dxs]

are honda's sales really that bad globally? have they dropped a lot


it seems weird that it looked like a team with a lot of money and a lot of focus for next year,
getting braun etc.. focusing on the 09 car in early 08

now before it is even 09 they are looking at exit options?

[Dxs]

they will never be able to bring themselves up to their former glory of the 60s and 70s.



they were 2nd in the WCC in 2004

working on the car for 09 in early 08.. have braun as tech director..

maybe their car is still uncompetitive (fundamental lack of design ability).. and are just going to pull out..


everyone was looking at honda as the potential dark horse for 2009

[Zdster]

Pulling out could save the company a lot of money, not necessarily a bad thing considering the F1 team is not doing really well, they will never be able to bring themselves up to their former glory of the 60s and 70s.

That being said, I feel sad for Button and Chello for losing their contracts should Honda cane the F1 team.

I agree. It is not like they are winning every race they enter. I think that Button will be picked up by someone though.

It will be interesting from a marketing perspective however, as Honda has pushed the fact that their cars are built on the back of their racing background.

[Zdster]

are honda's sales really that bad globally? have they dropped a lot


It might not be that their sales have fallen that much, but rather the forecasting and the massive outlay does not equate to value anymore.

[votek]

but isnt their slogan. if honda does not race then there is no honda


o.O

[SPEEDCORE]

but isnt their slogan. if honda does not race then there is no honda

If Honda has no money.... there is no honda!

Philosophical quotes are awesome.....

They should just go back to being an engine provider and forget about their own team.

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

not forgetting Honda also races Indy and Bikes...

[Tofu]

it's official
http://news.smh.com.au/world/honda-to-quit-f1-over-financial-crisis-20081205-6s9q.html

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/honda-quits-f1-blames-tough-biz-conditions/394596/

[Petronas]

Honestly... Where the hell did this come from!...

Sad day to see Honda out of F1... They've been involved since the 80's (Including a short stint in the 60's)... F1 will be a lesser place without them...

[^^v]

omfg this is fkn heart breaking...
wtf srsly... honda was the last team i expected to quit...

man... srsly its a sad fkn time..

[Petronas]

omfg this is fkn heart breaking...
wtf srsly... honda was the last team i expected to quit...

man... srsly its a sad fkn time..

It is, isn't it..... I know i'd rather see Honda mixing it with the big boys rather than a Force India machine which may basically be a McLaren in 2009....

[EuroAccord13]

Yes, the parent company is involved in various other sanctioned races globally but F1 is by far the most expensive to support and run. On an operational management point of view, the expensive involvement and not yielding any good season since the comeback is not a good note with stakeholders.

Ah yes, they got Ross out of retirement and he has improved the team overall but question is, will the stakeholders want to risk in excess of 100 million dollars again to finance the team and pray that Jenson and Rubens will be on the podium more often, no doubt that they are good drivers but the cars are just not good enough and I don't think they can do it in the next year.

100 Million dollar saved can go towards less job losses in the company and less chances to be in the red (Even though Honda has got a substantial amount of cash reserves)


Just hope that when times are better, they will make another comeback with a better engine and chassis.

[Petronas]

I wonder who will run 3 cars now? To my understanding the current (Revised in 03 was it?) and previous concord agreements stated that 20 cars MUST run in each GP...

[^^v]

man u gota feel for the drivers... esp Jenson..
he toughed it out with Honda for two years.. expecting to be givin a competitive for 09... wonder how hes feeling right now... what are his options?
i'd like to see him in a McLaren...

[Tofu]

^ i second that
but the two drivers at McLaren atm are also very good

[hisoka]

super aguri was backed by honda aswell, and they quit because of finacial difficulty, i guess the finacial crisis is now affecting the big boys aswell

[Petronas]

man u gota feel for the drivers... esp Jenson..
he toughed it out with Honda for two years.. expecting to be givin a competitive for 09... wonder how hes feeling right now... what are his options?
i'd like to see him in a McLaren...

2 years? He was with that team since 03!... Served him right... Leaving the Williams contract like that....

Well at least they had/have 2004 to reminisce...

[F.O.B Squad]

Not only is it unfortunate to see Honda out of the formula, but this can be a beginning of a crisis for formula 1 altogether, as it is getting much more expensive for the sport to run altogether.

Ninemsn;

"Honda says it is pulling out of Formula One due to the global financial crisis, raising further concerns over the notoriously expensive sport's future."

[^^v]

2 years? He was with that team since 03!... Served him right... Leaving the Williams contract like that....

Well at least they had/have 2004 to reminisce...
yeah i kno that... just that the last 2 years hav been fcuking disastrous


quoted from the guy who runs realhondaf1.com

"Raw material orders have been cancelled.
Night shifts have been ceased.
No1 Wind tunnel turned off.

The team are to build a couple of chassis for testing, and then prepare cars for Melbourne, but it'll be up to somebody else to take them to Melbourne and race them."

[GreekWarrior]

wtf

damn, button had a chance of winning next year.


OzHonda group buy???

[EGB18CT]

how much for an engine conversion?
also dibs on the brakes, ecu, gearbox, exhaust etc...

bit of a shock to see them out after all the prep for 09/10 etc. Maybe it would be best for them to take a break, and start fresh in the future.

[Dxs]

to respond to some comments

i have heard that super aguri basically quit a lot due to the honda team not giving them support. SA was beating honda a lot of the time which pissed off nick fry, so he decided not the save them.


And in regards to button, 2004 bar honda were 2nd in the WCC, he was contracted to goto williams, but stayed with honda for a long contract.. it is all the general cut throat luck of f1..


but ****
i bet their cars were still dogs or something, how were they going in testing?
makes sense to save a couple hundred mil, if all you are going to do is fight off force india's.. but shit, it seemed like there was so much invested in 09

[DOHCTR Coopz!]

FARK FARK FARK!!! my mate whom is a ferrari bandwagon fanboy rang me up to rub this in my face when i didnt even know about it!!! WTF... i am so fkn guttered!! talk about not fulfilling their fans expectations when they were promising us everything for '09!!! KERS bitch... slicks bitch... blah blah blah!! Personally i would rather see them toughing it out then abandoning f1 altogether! Honda exit ftl...

and Button... poor kid! didn't deserve this at all for all his patience and loyalty! I hope he will be able to pick up a drive next year, i'll be even more sad to see him not get a seat...

as Zdster mentioned, i would like to see how Honda will change their marketing strategies! probably more greeen and garden shit to attract the grandma's to hit vtec!

[S2kane]

I'm shattered.. Honda was on top with the KERS development and looking like it was going to be one of the top teams or possibly the 1 team.
I wonder if Toyota will bail out as well.. they have been hit just as hard by the economic crisis.

[JDM.Power]

blame toyota... lol,
to many people buying toyota cars.
i find honda cars over price.

who pays for a civic 91-95model between 5-9k? even tho if its got mods ! must be stupid.

[DOHCTR Coopz!]

i would... reliving Honda's success in the 90's baby!!!

Well reading more news on it, Fry believes they will be able to find a buyer for the team by March! btw, arent toyota rumored to exit F1 in 2010??

standardised engines and engine development freeze ftl... Hope ferrari and alonso DONT pull out! then all the tracks, sponsors, organisers etc. will be trippin balls for sure cuz F1 will be the k00tz...

[Petronas]

We're dawning on a new era I think...

60's - Aerodynamics/Wings
70's - Ground Affects
80's - Turbo
90's - Electronics
00's - Stupidly high budgets
10's - Standardization....

Cosworth OR Ilmore to be standard Engine supplier...
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/05122008/13/cosworth-wins-fia-engine-tender.html

What I'm scared of it that F1 will turn into another Champ Car/Indy Car and we'll have 20 identical cars with different liveries...

[Sir_vtec]

makes sense if they are saving 200 mil a year on running a team that is ranked in the bottom 3 in f1? Even if they dont find a buyer theyre still shutting down.

that means there will only be 18 cars starting on the grid next season.

[Petronas]

makes sense if they are saving 200 mil a year on running a team that is ranked in the bottom 3 in f1?

F1 has however always been about innovation and 'pushing the limits' of modern day technologies (aerodynamics, turbo, electronics and now KERS)...

Just think how boring and maybe more so 'dull' technically Champ Car was... (Hell Champ Car even had artificial overtaking with their "No blocking rule")

What I did like was CART back in the days... Several Engines with I think 3 chassis available to the teams.... (Reynard, Penske, Lola, etc.) (I don't want this for F1 but I think if worse comes to worse it'd suffice...)

[votek]

maybe prodrive can buy their team

[^^v]

still fkn perplexes me why Honda suddenly just pulled out...
i mean so much effort was being put on the '09 car... so much hope riding on next year... then boom... without warning they jump ship...

Quote from f1live.
"I believe we have got a front-running car already designed," said boss Ross Brawn

[Chris_F]

^ they would say that though because they're trying to sell the team ;)

[STAiN MASTER]

still fkn perplexes me why Honda suddenly just pulled out...
i mean so much effort was being put on the '09 car... so much hope riding on next year... then boom... without warning they jump ship...

Quote from f1live.
"I believe we have got a front-running car already designed," said boss Ross Brawn

Last moths sales in the US was down 30% so it was a quick decision that was made to save the company from this financial crisis we are in atm.

[SHOGUNOVDDRK]

the true question is if you were in the same shoes as Honda would you still be Funding the F1?

[ek4-guy]

someone buy the team ffs i'll drive for you

[LT178]

It's very sad, but I'd rather this than Honda ending up like GM and Chrysler. Hopefully they'll be back in a few years time when the economic outlook starts to recover.

And DOHCTR Coopz, I HATE the evil red bandwagoners as well.... to them it's like no one can support any other team but theirs. Just mention Brazil 08 to him next time he spouts the usual evil red bulls**t

[i_s2_honda]

someone buy the team ffs i'll drive for you

there is a very very good chance they will be bought out... currently there is three consortiums interested in purchasing the team so its semi good news... we'll see how it pans out in March, IMO the honda F1 team was s**t anyway, it was very poorly managed which made it so s**t its not that i don't like them its just that they could have been a hell of a lot better

[^^v]

looks lik teams still hav faith in buttons abilities...
apprently BMW, Renault n Red Bull all approached him during the year...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport/f1news/2008/12/06/jenson-button-up-for-rescuing-honda-115875-20950668/



Jenson Button up for rescuing Honda

*
*

6/12/2008

SHOCKED Jenson Button yesterday pledged to lead Honda's 26-day fight for survival.

The British driver, who turned down mid-season approaches from BMW, Renault and Red Bull, flew to England to bolster morale among 698 staff at the team's factory in Brackley after the news from Japan that the company was quitting F1.

Bosses Nick Fry and Ross Brawn, who have until the end of the month to find a buyer, said yesterday there had been three "credible" approaches, all foreign.

Button described it as "kill or cure" for the UK operation.

"It's either going to make us stronger or break us," he said. "We have to remain positive as a team. If we don't who will buy us?

"It came as much of a shock to me as everyone else and the first couple of hours were the most painful. But after that I thought, 'What's the point of being down?' I've been in the situation before of potentially facing the next season without a drive and got through it."

Honda boss Takeo Fukui cited the global recession for the decision.

"It's a real shame and I feel deeply sorry for Jenson Button," he said. "We had no choice."

Button's only real alternative is if Red Bull racer Mark Webber fails to recover from a broken leg before March. Fry is already in talks to use Ferrari engines next season.

He added: "Clearly Jenson is an asset. We also have Ross, who I regard as absolutely the best designer in the business.

"Over the last couple of years Honda have spent £50m on the facilities. For someone who wants an F1 team we're undoubtedly the buy of the century."

FIA president Max Mosley warned other manufacturers could also quit unless costs are cut.

[Petronas]

looks lik teams still hav faith in buttons abilities...
apprently BMW, Renault n Red Bull all approached him during the year...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/motorsport/f1news/2008/12/06/jenson-button-up-for-rescuing-honda-115875-20950668/
In my opinion I think Button had his chance in 2004 and should have been without a drive in 2005 because of the contractual issues with Williams, Honda and himself at the time...

[Dxs]

huh?
from my memory

in 04 button was rather hot stuff.. the brits thought he was the bees knees. hence a lot of people thought the same thing because ITV basically influences us. But now in hamiltons shadow no one cares..

Honda wanted him bad, hence paying him 15mill(pounds) a season still.

[Petronas]

huh?
from my memory

in 04 button was rather hot stuff.. the brits thought he was the bees knees. hence a lot of people thought the same thing because ITV basically influences us. But now in hamiltons shadow no one cares..

Honda wanted him bad, hence paying him 15mill(pounds) a season still.

That's what i mean... "He had his chance in 2004"... He was great in a car that was good to him and good against the other cars...

But for what he did... (Go against his contract with Williams) I think he didn't deserve a drive in 2005... Of course we might have done the same thing if we were in his shoes but that to me, a fan of the sport doesn't change my opinion...

It was a hard call for button as well remember... Williams last win was Brazil 2004... So it seemed Williams was coming back up to the top after a hard season... But alas, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008... and probably 2009 were and might be all worse than 2004... Button made the right call, but in circumstances which made him look (To us fans) like an idiot...

[dahon]

guess it had to be done to save the company... i say thats alright anyways... with the ridiculous rules (gold silver bronze medals? WTF?) bernie and his idiot FIA buddies will be implementing for f1 next year anyways honda made the right move... other car makers should also be considering this as f1 has lost the plot with its ridiculous running price tag for little gain...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/nov/26/bernie-ecclestone-formula-one-world-championship-points-medals

[Petronas]

PSA is also considering F1!

This would be great in my opinion! At least they're a manufacturer... And it's not liek they don't have motorsport experience (WRC, Le Mans and F1 in the mid 90's)

http://formula-1.updatesport.com/news/article/1228736117/formula_one/F1gossip/Peugeot-Citroen-in-the-frame/view.html

[F.O.B Squad]

With all this crisis going on in the Formula 1 and Honda, it looks like it sparked a major team to put their foot down on where they stand in the sport; i'm talking about Ferrari.

This is a recent article regarding my post;

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=684075&rss=yes

[BlitZ]

ill put my car into F1 to complete the field of 20 cars

[zeke]

Honda F1 to be powered by Tequila and Senna


Honda F1 Sold To Carlos Helu

Dec 28th, 2008 • No comments • Link to Article • by Mike Stevens ShareThis



They say money can’t buy you love, but the right amount will at least get you an F1 team of your own. Italian news website La Stampa is reporting that Honda’s F1 team has been bought out by Mexican telecom billionaire Carlos Slim Helu.

La Stampa reports that Helu paid Honda’s asking price, beating out Prodrive’s David Richards and Force India F1 owner Vijay Mallya, who many believe wanted the team simply to get at Honda’s technical know-how.

Believed to be the second wealthiest man in the world and with businesses already involved in motorsport, Helu more than easily has the financial and business experience to run and put together a team to meet Honda’s expectations of a three year commitment.


Helu’s purchase of Honda’s team spells good things for the 2009 season. Bruno Senna – nephew of legend Ayrton Senna – will likely get a drive due to his sponsorship by Embratel, a subsidiary of Helu’s Telmex company. Team manager Ross Brawn will also benefit, with the new arrangement allowing him to continue to build the team he’s been wanting to put together.

[dahon]

yeah heard this earlier today... so will it still be badged as the honda f1 team? or not anymore..?

[^^v]

yeah heard this earlier today... so will it still be badged as the honda f1 team? or not anymore..?
nop... no backing by honda wot so ever

its good news for jenson though... hopefully they'll get development back to 100%...

[urbanracer.com]

i dont think they have been purchased yet;

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081229094514.shtml

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081229132309.shtml

[DOHCTR Coopz!]

anyone with updates? cbf sifting through the news... i saw on the news that fezzzuH unleashed the new ride today! very high nose like the revised RA108... lol RA108... bahahahahaaa ftl!

[^^v]

Ferrari hav conclusively denied they will supply engines for the team next year (if someone eventually buys em)
but theres talk of merc supplying engines as well..

as of yet no buyer... but the rumor mill suggests that NICK FRY (ftl) is a serious bidder...


anywayz heres a pic of the F60... doesnt look all that bad... rear wing will take some gettin use to though

http://images.gpupdate.net/large/116970.jpg

[Riced_Civic]

man the rear wings r tiny now

[STAiN MASTER]

All the teams have registered for 2009 except Honda...

[Min988]

Crap I got a F1 Honda Team shirt for the F1 in March, now im going to look stupid, gg Honda.

[i_s2_honda]

Crap I got a F1 Honda Team shirt for the F1 in March, now im going to look stupid, gg Honda.

i'd still wear it.... :p

GG to you :D

[sendok]

sad :|