Honda Quits F1

Formula One Team Honda Is Up For Sale

Dec 17, 2008 Simon McBride

The Japanese car maker has pulled the plug on its F1 operation blaming the world economic downturn.

Honda has put its Formula One team up for sale and the Japanese maker has confirmed if no buyer is found then it will fold the operation.

This is another surprise outcome as another Japanese maker has pulled its motorsport operation, other Japanese marques to pull out of motorsport include Suzuki and Subaru who plyed their wares in the World Rally Championship.

Ross Brawn Joined Honda In 2008

It is a strange decision for Honda as they brought former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn onto the team at the start of the 2008 season (this year). Honda was to give Brawn a year to get the car ready so that they could make a tilt for both driver’s and constructer's championships in 2009.

With the team in no-mans land, the drivers, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button look to be fighting to save their careers as there are no top seats available at present for the 2009 season.

Honda Will Not Supply Teams With Customer Engines

The decision to pull out of the sport by Honda will also mean that the company will not supply engines to any other teams on the 2009 grid.

The Japanese maker was reported to be spending £300 million per annum and under the present climate could not sanction this outlay any longer.

Honda Must Protect Its Core Business

At the Honda press conference Honda president Takeo Fukui said, "Honda Motor Co. has come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season for participation. Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economics around the globe continue to mount."

The Honda F1 team are based in Brackley, Northamptonshire in England and there is a staff of 800. The team has been buoyed by the interest in the team as Chief Executive Nick Fry has confirmed that there are three potential buyers looking at the whole outfit at present.

Honda Finished 2008 In Ninth Place

Honda finished the 2008 season in ninth place in the constructer's championship with just 14 points. If there is no buyer for the team then the 2009 grid will line-up with just 18 cars.

Just like the World Rally Championship, F1 will make drastic changes for the 2010 season but this will be too late for Honda and possibly the 800 people who work at the team’s HQ in Brackley.

Standard Engines and Gearboxes

Some of the changes the FIA want to introduce include standardising engines and gearboxes.

But this solution to rising costs is opposed by the leading road-car constructer's who are involved in F1.

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