[Team] Honda's selling ... but who's buying? [HUGE MERGE]

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Originally Posted by mjstallard

And the F1 implosion rolls on. 18 car grid next year it is then - I bet Abu Dhabi will feel they're getting their $150 million worth.

I wonder who will be next to kick the bucket. Williams by the end of, ooh, 2010 maybe?

If you want to go down the road of D&G: Williams, STR, Toyota (you could add more). My personal take is that if the grid gets too small, Bernie will find a way to prop it up.

[Down F0rce]

IIRC, three car teams become mandatory if the car count is less then 14? I believe I read that in a FIA PDF many moons ago but I'm not sure it still applies.

[ivanalesi]

Oh come on! This would be plain stupid, invested billions and now you gift all of it!?
They can go back to the normal livery, get sponsorship around Bruno, Jenson is marketable too, get some cash from TV Rights and start running a sensible F1 team - like Williams! At the end of the day, they can't do any worse
I think it's some kind of over reaction, the sales of everyone went down by a 3rd, but that doesn't mean people will start walking 100km or try running 20 yr old car!
I bet this team can run in about 120 mil considering they've got their car ready. Damn, I hate panic!

[chrisp2006]

williams will never leave. It would be great if honda found a buyer rightway, with the ferrari engines it could be a good setup

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Down F0rce

IIRC, three car teams become mandatory if the car count is less then 14? I believe I read that in a FIA PDF many moons ago but I'm not sure it still applies.

And you think Bernie and the FIA can go around dictating the terms?

Manufactuers are struggling to justify two car teams against multiple manufacturer's, nevermind absorbing the cost of a third car to help prop up Bernie's 'show'.

How about Bernie cut's some of these big money fly away races and offers more reasonable terms to established events that are being ditched.

[the sniper]

Originally Posted by JAG

How about Bernie cut's some of these big money fly away races and offers more reasonable terms to established events that are being ditched.

It those "big money fly away races" that pay the bills.

[ivanalesi]

There may be a positive from all of this, they may realize budget caps will help!
It's about 12 P.M. and I'm may be dreaming...

[wapomumalo]

The way things turn...Maybe MadMax idea of customer engines is a genious idea against manufaturer leaving F1 due to such financial problems...


Poor F1...now you´ll get what you had seed...

[Icebaby]

I am a Honda fan but feel they are best to go, F1 is not viable for any teams now IMO, if this does start removing other teams its only due to the sad state of affairs with too many people messing with F1 and not allowing it to be a sport, harsh I know. I do feel for the workforce but F1 is not what it should be and hasn't been for a long while.

They could run in WTCC and gain exposure for a fraction of the cost and less political.

[Ultimo]

Will Renault stick around after Alonso leaves them? I remember Alonso doubting their commitment to the long term and they have already won.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Icebaby

I am a Honda fan but feel they are best to go, F1 is not viable for any teams now IMO, if this does start removing other teams its only due to the sad state of affairs with too many people messing with F1 and not allowing it to be a sport, harsh I know. I do feel for the workforce but F1 is not what it should be and hasn't been for a long while.

Their withdrawl is down the global financial crisis, not the state of F1.

[Icebaby]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Their withdrawl is down the global financial crisis, not the state of F1.

Yep fair point.

[strider]

Originally Posted by strider

Correct, so we have to wait until Japan awakes.

Nonetheless, according to reliable sources on arguably less reliable websites, it is purely a question of when not if the decision is announced.

That's interesting. The story and the comments on it have now disappeared. Did someone speak out of turn?

[mjstallard]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Their withdrawl is down the global financial crisis, not the state of F1.

I'd argue that the two things aren't strictly mutually exclusive. The current state of F1 means that the impact of the looming global recession on the sport is greatly exacerbated to the point where it could well go completely tits up within a year or two...but I guess it's kind of nitpicking of me. It's a big steaming melting pot of doom and gloom!

[Icebaby]

I think its best to wait for an official word here as theres a big difference to "IF" and "When".

[Sodemo]

I guess it makes it easier for Honda to pull the plug seeing as they are propping up the rear of the grid. If they were winning races and close to winning a championship, then perhaps it might have been a tougher choice to pull out...?

[ghinzani]

Whither Button, as they used to say.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by strider

That's interesting. The story and the comments on it have now disappeared. Did someone speak out of turn?

Still up on Autosport.com FWIW.

[Down F0rce]

I forget the name, but I believe it was Renault's president that put it best... when we lose it's an expense, when we win it's an investment. F1 for Honda has been a very big expense for Honda for some time now.

2004 was a great season for them, they seemed to be hardly ever off the podium. 2005 saw the team stick it in reverse and plummet down the order. The first 3/4 of 2006 was much the same, until a (lucky) win in Hungary and then a string of solid performances hinted that they were on the way up. 2007 and 2008 have both been massive disasters, coupled with the global economic downturn has lead to an inevitable result.

Honda will be the first... more will follow unless the FOTA and the FIA can come up with a pretty drastic plan for the next few years.

[Flat12-Aircool]

Maybe Honda's executives in Japan saw pictures of how ugly next years F1 car's will look and thought, why bother?!!

[SennaTheGreat]

I don't want to see Honda leave the sport as i think they are a team with alot of potential.

What Honda need to do IMO is bring sponsorship into the team (more logos on the cars) to bring in more revenue for the team. I don't see the logic in giving Bruno Senna and Di Grassi a test session, if the F1 team management knew what was going on. (I think Brawn and Fry knew what was going to happen as they are like the main managers in the F1 team)

I would really like Honda to stay in F1 as a engine supplier if their team is sold. I think it would be good if they just sold the team but with a contract clause of "You buy our team and take our ex employees but WE supply you the engines".

[duke_toaster]

Righty ho ... unless they can find a buyer, it's time to see who will be running three cars.

[Oscar114]

According to another thread with a reliable source the team is indeed for sale and if no-one buys it wil be disbanded. Employees were told at 6pm.

Not good. Hopefully it works out for all the guys at Honda.

[VIVA GT]

Just heard on BBC Radio 4 news that the Honda F1 team has been put up for sale and if it doesn't sell, will be closed down!
Unfortunately I can't find anything else out at the moment, but if it's on Radio 4, it must be true!
What ramifications has this news got?

[Oscar114]

See other thread about this:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111666