Thread: Honda pull out of F1!

ZOMG :o:o:o

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Global crisis ends Honda F1 era

"Honda Motor Co. has come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season for participation," said Honda president Takeo Fukui at an emotional press conference.

"This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry... and the sudden contraction of the world economies," he added.

"Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economics around the globe continue to mount."

According to the Reuters news agency, team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry told a meeting of the Formula One Teams' Association: "They have a month to find a buyer, otherwise they are closing the team."

If no buyer is found, Honda's decision will leave F1 with just 18 cars on the grid next season.

In fairness they are right. Unlike those American car maker idiots who have no problem increasing their debt by flying to the US government crisis meetings in their private jets, Honda take the approach that they would rather not spend $300M a year when they are not getting anywhere in the sport.

This will have serious knock-on affects, not least in Melbourne.... with teams pulling out and money getting tight they'll loose even more money this year.

i thought we might have another GU cash drive and buy em out

I'll buy the team for $1 as per the report, you run it and find sponsors.

I'll put in 10 bucks but I wanna drive

Well Super Aguri Folded earlier this year so I guess we should have seen this coming. I'm really hoping someone can fork out the money, maybe some oil shiek(sp) from Dubai can bail them out.

Button still has got a lot to do in the world of F1, I hope he can get a drive next year.

3 potential buyers already apparently. I'd be fairly confident saying we'll be seeing them next season, in 1 form or another. After all, they've put probably the most amount of development into a 2009 car than any other team in there.

Oh please.... as if McLaren and Ferrari haven't spent loads o cash on the 2009 car.

Originally Posted by ResLo

Oh please.... as if McLaren and Ferrari haven't spent loads o cash on the 2009 car.

I think rec is referring to time spent devloping the 2009 spec car, as McLaren and Ferrari would have had to develop their 2008 cars til seasons end to try and win the championships. While HONDA stopped development on their 08 car after Hungary round 11.

Honda 2008 Season Review: Another Poor Year | Bleacher Report

Exactly! Keep up with it Res.

Who said they didn't make the decision at round 11 given they were travelling soo well?

Ferrari and McLaren no doubt, spend more money then Honda per year and can afford to continually develop their 08 cars while also spending time and money creating their 09 cars.

No way have Honda put more time or cash into developing the 09 car then other teams.