Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« on: December 05, 2008, 01:52:51 PM »

Boy, that was a surprise. Toyota however, has just reassured it will stay. That's the thing with some companies: they have to be perceived as making cuts, to keep management safe from the ire of stockholders...As a former world champ said, I really doubt F1 was one of Honda's biggest expenditures...Renault/Nissan is still firmly on board, but with Ghosn, we'll never know!

I'm maybe the only F1 fan here, but I couldn't help but post it. Damn, I didn't like that one bit. Honda apparently was one of the best KERS (kinetic energy recovery) system for the next year. And more:

Quote

We are sitting here in possibly the best F1 facility in the world, in which Honda have invested in very heavily over the last couple of years. We have the best full-size wind tunnel.

"We have engine dynamometers, we have a driver-in-the-loop simulator, we have a chassis rig downstairs, we have a contract with Jenson Button and we have got Ross Brawn, who has designed what he believes to be an outstanding car for next year.

(Source)

They have 3 offers for the team, apparently, but I doubt Honda will do the engines (with KERS) for the buyer. Will see.

Quote

Honda have announced their immediate withdrawal from Formula One, the Japanese manufacturer's president and CEO Takeo Fukui confirmed on Friday morning.

After a night of frenzied speculation about the future of the Honda Racing team, Fukui told a hastily called press conference in Tokyo that difficult financial conditions had forced the company to make the decision.

"Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount," he said. "A recovery is expected to take some time.

"Under these circumstances, Honda has taken swift and flexible measures to counter this sudden and expansive weakening of the marketplace in all business areas.

"However, in recognition of the need to optimize the allocation of management resources, including investment regarding the future, we have decided to withdraw from Formula One participation.

"We will enter into consultation with the associates of Honda Racing F1 Team and its engine supplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the two companies. This will include offering the team for sale."

(Autosport.com)


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

oztiks

Administrator
Grad

Spirit: 6

Offline

Location: Central/South Florida
Posts: 4390

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2008, 08:50:59 PM »

They should mention the dollar amounts involved in the implied savings..


	Logged

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2008, 11:49:40 AM »

I'd say it's about 350-400 million. Toyota tops it at 500/year, followed by Mclaren, BMW and Ferrari the latter is about 300 million.

Audi just announced yesterday that it is pulling off of American Les Mans Series, after 8years of support...


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

oztiks

Administrator
Grad

Spirit: 6

Offline

Location: Central/South Florida
Posts: 4390

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2008, 11:55:24 AM »

Scary and sad stuff, but, welcome to the new economy, I guess. I'm betting nissan is going to start axing participation in stuff soon as well... Sad


	Logged

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2008, 02:37:28 PM »

Was it all about November sales? Were they so bad for everybody? Look at this quote:

Quote

"We are sorry, it is a big let down for the fans and all concerned, but you have to understand that the sale of cars took a big dip - especially in November," explained Fukui.

"All around the world, the November sales went down massively - beyond our imagination. This decision did not exist in September definitely. The team were ready for 2009 and they were doing their best efforts, and we decided against them.

"We did not only disappoint the fans but also the staff, and we are really sorry for the technical staff, including Ross."

Fukui did not rule out Honda returning to F1 in the future if economic conditions improved.

"For the future we can think whatever," said Fukui. "But for now we are pulling out."

He added: "Honda 's idea of sport has not changed. The pull out is not only for economic reasons but because we believe we are about to embark on a new era , which we think as a big change. The energy we poured into F1 we can now pour into this new phase of the auto industry.

"It is all because of expensive fuel. We need different (road) car design - we need to strengthen the eco hybrid technology. We need to have more energy for the development of eco cars, and for that we can use the personnel who had had the experience of F1."

If Honda is in trouble for lack of energy efficient cars ( loco

), it's no wonder there's no salvation for the big three...


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2009, 11:38:36 PM »

Ross Brown, ex-Ferrari (6 constructor's, 5 driver's titles as technical director of the 'dream team' with Schumacher, crew chief Jean Todt and designer Rory Byrne) and Benetton (2 titles with Schumacher and Briattore), and ex-Honda team principal, bought the Honda F1 Team. With the gigantic wind tunnel, engine and carbon fiber facilities, supercomputer simulators and all the factory in Brackley (because F1 teams are required to build unique cars, prototypes, each F1 team is a factory). Talk about having a load of cash! Grin

Brawn GP take over Honda Racing

Quote

Ross Brawn has taken control of the former Honda Racing outfit in a move that secures the survival of the tenth team in Formula One.

After months of speculation about the future of the Brackley-based outfit, following Honda's decision to quit grand prix racing last December, a 100 per cent buyout by Brawn has resulted in the team being renamed 'Brawn GP'.

A statement issued at midnight on Thursday said that Brawn had reached agreement with the Honda Motor Company to take ownership of the team. It was also confirmed that the outfit will be powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.

As autosport.com revealed earlier this week, Jenson Button will be partnered by Rubens Barrichello, who is set to extend his record as the most experienced driver in Formula One history.

Speaking about the new deal, Brawn said: "The past few months have been extremely challenging for the team but today's announcement is the very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts that have been made to secure its future.

"Firstly, it is a great shame that having worked with Honda Motor Company for so long we can no longer continue together. I would like to thank Honda for the fantastic co-operation and support we have received throughout this process - particularly those members of the senior management who were closely involved with concluding our agreement - and for the faith they have demonstrated in myself and our team.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to pay due credit to our staff at Brackley. The levels of motivation and commitment that I have witnessed at the factory deserve the highest praise."

(link)


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2009, 12:25:38 PM »

And what a surprise! Brawn GP (ex-Honda) has been topping all the test since they started! They say their new wind tunnel has been put to work on the new car since mid-2008, and so they were familiar with all the new regs since early on.

They're all very happy, not sure about Honda though...Too bad. Toyota is also in fairly good shape, much better than in previous years.

Quote

Jenson Button continued the new Brawn GP team's excellent start by topping the third day of the Barcelona group test.

The British driver's time of 1:19.127 put him a full second clear of his rivals, and he also completed 130 laps - a tally only exceeded by Toyota's Timo Glock and Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi.

Button had been fastest for much of Brawn GP's first public test on Monday, before being edged back to fourth place by the end of the day, while his team-mate Rubens Barrichello took third place yesterday.

Felipe Massa was second quickest for Ferrari today, just ahead of Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber). Glock and Renault's Fernando Alonso completed the top five.

McLaren's apparent difficulties continued as world champion Lewis Hamilton brought up the rear of the 10-car field, 2.5 seconds slower than Button, and also had a trip into the gravel during the afternoon.

More details to follow...

Today's times:

1.	Button	Brawn-Mercedes	(B) 1:19.127 124
2.	Massa	Ferrari	(B) 1:20.168 109
3.	Kubica	BMW Sauber	(B) 1:20.217 109
4.	Glock	Toyota TF109	(B) 1:20.410 99
5.	Alonso	Renault R29	(B) 1:20.863 107
6.	Vettel	Red Bull-Renault	(B) 1:21.165 102
7.	Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	(B) 1:21.324 89
8.	Fisichella	Force India-Mercedes	(B) 1:21.545 97
9.	Buemi	Toro Rosso-Ferrari	(B) 1:21.569 140
10.	Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	(B) 1:21.657 82

(source)
(I'm so stupid, I can't make this table thing to work)

[Edit Ohmster] Table formatting applied.


« Last Edit: March 28, 2009, 10:46:29 AM by Ohmster »	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2009, 02:22:33 AM »

Brawn 1-2 at the first qualy!!!

Amazing!


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

Rippling Hurst

Grad

Spirit: 3

Offline

Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 2391

Re: Shock: Honda pulls out of Formula 1

« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2009, 08:03:28 PM »

And of course, they won!

I wonder if Honda regrets anything. They should. 300 million/year invested in the last 5 years, to sell a winning team? Ferrari drivers already say they won't be able to reach Brawn's GP performance, they're one sec. faster than the whole field...

Both drivers were unemployed, 750 workers were about to get fired since nobody had cash to buy the team, the chief engineer Brawn buys the team using all the money he had (his the sole proprietor now), now he gets to have the best car in Formula 1...The car had no sponsorships until Friday, when Virgin Records bought a small spot on the sides. Now they're told to get back in line for a deal! Brawn can pretty much asks how much he wants!

Amazing fairy tale story.


	Logged

________________________________________
08 Sequoia Platinum and 07 FX35

Fx 35 Carputer worklog

Gone: 06 M35 Sport (Carputer Worklog)

CARfaq.org


	Logged

Tags:

Pages: [1] Go Up

Add bookmark

« previous next »

Jump to:

Please register or login in order to view all CARfaq forums. Many forums and content are restricted to our REGISTERED USERS only. Registration and Access is FREE!

User

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Please register or login in order to view all CARfaq forums. Many forums and content are restricted to our REGISTERED USERS only. Registration and Access is FREE!

User

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.Did you miss your activation email?

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?