Friday 5th December 2008

Honda 'Quits F1'

Jenson Button now loooking for a drive for next season

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Jenson Button in 2007 Honda RA107

Honda is quitting Formula One because of the global economic crisis, it has announced. The decision leaves English driver Jenson Button without a drive with few places still available.

Sources at Honda had told the BBC that they were ‘optimistic’ the team could continue, but it has now emerged a suitable investor has not been found. Honda has spent an estimated £300m on F1 each year and has decided it can no longer afford to be involved in the sport. It will not supply engines to other teams.

The team had set a deadline of January to find backers but according to reports the workers at Honda’s Brackley base have been told to expect redundancy letters before Christmas.  

‘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. 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 Reuters, 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.'

[Official Slacker]

I'll pitch ina tenner!!

[mrmr96]

The impossible dream is over.

Edited by mrmr96 on Friday 5th December 11:40

[dublet]

And after two years of heavily investing, even attracting talent such as Ross Brawn, pulling out just like that. Honestly. What a waste.

[disco1]

I feel for the people who work in their main F1 factory but in al honesty I couldnt care less, they were rubbish despite having all the money in the world. Slow, uncompetative, poor image, lackluster driver, worst underachievers on the grid..etc..etc.

I just hope someone like Dave Richards goes in for the lot under Aston or Prodrive. This is if Bernie & Co want him in their gang?

[Dr KT]

To fight for the right, with out question or cause...this is my quest, to reach the impossible star.

(From the Honda dream/quest song).

Shame- good luck to everyone who is affected by the job cut backs at the factory/F1 team.

[Mikeyboy]

That's a shame. With Brawn they may have finally have come good next year.
That being said its not really surprising is it. They have underperformed massively and with the economic atmosphere they can't justify it any more.

[S3 Alex]

With false promises, I think Honda have potentially ruined Button's career.

[patmahe]

Its a bad sign, whats to say the other manufacturers aren't thinking along the same lines. Then again maybe the sport would benefit from bringing back the privateers IF it survives this economic mess.

[flemke]

S3 Alex said:

With false promises, I think Honda have potentially ruined Button's career.

He himself may have helped a bit.

[H22K]

if he really is a talented driver, other teams will know that he was held back by the car.

Now he just has to get the test drives for other teams, and prove his mettle. Trouble is - does he have the talent of Massa, Hamilton, Vettel et al?

[Baffled Spoon]

What a shame, I was hopefull of seeing the team return to former glory under the stewardship of Ross Brawn. I wonder how many other teams will be affected by the global car sales slowndown.

[tyranical]

At least that gets button out of that team, biggest mistake of his career going there. Hopefully a more reasonable team will pick him up in a few years as theres not many places next for him next season and if i were him i wouldn't go and sign up with any old team just to have a seat in F1 next year.

[disco1]

S3 Alex said:

With false promises, I think Honda have potentially ruined Button's career.

Button ruined his own career, he has lost the 'drive' to compete and push himself to the limit. When he's interviewed after another crash/failure he seems happy and contented, if that was Alonso, Massa and Lewis they would be fuming, so much so they wouldn't even agree to an interview.

Button got his $$$, yachts, Monaco appartments and girls over racing.

[LukeBird]

flemke said:

S3 Alex said:

With false promises, I think Honda have potentially ruined Button's career.

He himself may have helped a bit.

I would completely agree there.
It is a shame given the amount of money they've chucked at the sport, but I guess there is a point you have to just cut yourself out...

[S3 Alex]

Nevertheless, he's shown sparks of great talent, albeit far too infrequently, in his career. I can't imagine it being easy to stay motivated in an uncompetitive car.

With a decent car behind him he could achieve good things.

[bencollins]

300m blimey
that investment has to sell a lot of extra cars (on top of the ones the would sell anyhoo, and the ones they arent selling, due to being expensive, to pay for this).
Not a difficult business decision IMO, all the best business adjust to circumstance early, not late.

[dinkel]

In a broader perspective: F1 is over within minutes . . . or at least: it will be boring / laughable soon. Just a handfull of teams and all . . .

The days of Formula Ford . . . things were so simple back in the days. Have a look at a 70s DFV F1. A team ran by 20 peeps, LEGO-aerodynamics.

Shame.

I guess automotive R&D will be silent for quite a while.

[Steve_F]

Wonder if this was just the excuse they were looking for. Maybe the tests of the new car for next year were showing that they were heading for another year at the back end of the grid.

Real shame to see them go though, need as many cars as possible to keep things interesting.

[S3 Alex]

Does anyone know what teams still have drives for next year?

[montyvr6]

Naff to Button, he's had his chances and made his money. I'm sure he won't be sending any Christmas presents back in light of todays news.

Having worked in F1 and knowing a number of people at Honda and having just been let go in the Aston Martin job losses, my thoughts are with my fellow Engineers and the bleak few months (hopefully not years) we have ahead of us.