Honda, in a bid to save costs as new car sales continue their downward spiral, has announced that it is leaving Formula One racing beginning with the 2009 season. The automaker plans to sell its team and said it won’t supply engines to other teams looking to enter a non-factory outfit in the auto racing series.
Honda president Takeo Fukui told reporters that “This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry,”
The 350 engineers who were working on Honda’s Formula One efforts will be transferred within the company to other outposts, including hybrid powertrain development. Earlier this week, Honda announced the 2010 Insight hybrid car.
Honda says it costs the company about ¥ 20 billion a year, or about $217.3 million, to fund the Formula One efforts. Honda finished in ninth place out of the 11 teams last season. Since re-entering Formula One in 2000, Honda finished first once.
12/05, 11:11 AM
posted by:
procrastinate now
This is unfortunate but, it’s the responsible thing to do under the circumstances.
12/05, 11:24 AM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Ya…. cost cuts, or they finally realizes they just can’t hang with the EURO’S, at least they still have that thing called the IRL they can play at, or maybe they can try NASCAR,…
12/05, 11:26 AM
posted by:
A4
wasnt there an article about how honda has the highest F1 operating costs of any of the involved automakers?
12/05, 11:36 AM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
And they still could not win a single race…
12/05, 11:44 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
They could barely make it out of Q1 most events.
12/05, 11:48 AM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
As an automotive enthusiast I am wretched to see this happen as Honda’s racing endeavors are highly regarded by engineers worldwide. Their developments spur and help the entire industry through new technology and through spurring others to be competitive, the same holds for the competition. I hope Honda returns soon to Formula One.
12/05, 2:41 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
I understand Ferrari, BMW and Merc having a part in Formula 1. Ferrari is a fast-car maker, BMW has the M and Merc has the AMG which are also sporty [of course]. What did Honda have to enter? I don’t understand how did they take technology from Formula 1 into normal cars…
I was surprised to find they were participating.
12/05, 3:13 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
Where’s 1115 now with his ass suckin’ of Honda?
In Canada on TSN Formula 1 was in part sponsored by Honda, so called ‘the power of dreams’. Should have being NO POWER, since as Johnny pointed out they could barely get into Q2.
Long time ago Honda was a team to be reckoned with, but not in the past few years. I’m talking about time when Senna was racing. I wonder if Button and Barrichelo will end up with no ride for next season as both are capable pilots with a proper car?
12/05, 4:02 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Let’s put this in perspective. Honda F1 is a peripheral project that has had little success (profit or engineering), especially compared to their other racing efforts. Their IRL and LMRS efforts still go on. Honda and Acura continue with their plans.
Meanwhile, GM is postponing badly needed model updates that will make them competive. Honda’s actions are prudent in the current economic climate; GM’s are desperate.
12/05, 4:13 PM
posted by:
miket
This is not all based on the downturn in auto sales. The FIA has cancelled or put in jeopardy races in the US, Canada, Germany and France. The FIA also has an engine freeze in place so development has stopped on the motors……
Without major markets in North America and Europe, not gaining anything from the motor development (I believe that the variable valve timing system was a development from Honda’s racing efforts, albeit not in F1) and no car sponser since the purchase of the team from BAR….what else was likely to happen?
Hope Jensen gets a ride next year…..
12/05, 6:02 PM
posted by:
acura_el2000
Soichiro Honda once said “without racing there is no Honda”. It is a sad day for Honda, and I bet he is rolling in his grave right now.
Hopefully Hirotoshi Honda (owner of Mugen and Soichiro’s son) has the kind of coin to pick this up for a few years until Honda steps back in.
12/05, 6:27 PM
posted by:
olds307
lol FUKUI
12/05, 7:52 PM
posted by:
Catiadesigner
Much as I see it as a sad day, I cannot believe that the continued lack of success has not played a part in Honda’s decision (some might say even a lack of competitiveness with the likes of Red Bull and Toyota).
The removal of the US and Canadian Grand prix must also have been a factor.
I think they will return but only as an engine supplier and only when there is some liquidity in the engine design regulations that allow for, and reward, clever engineering.
12/05, 8:22 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Doesn’t matter, as the current Formula One is but a cheap eggshell of its former self. All its glory and technological innovation has been thwarted by decades of ASSinine and draconian rules that have banned/outlawed many wonderful engineering miracles (the most painful IMO being active shock absorbers that was unjustly killed). I hope the sport burns in hell and its rotten directors with it.
12/07, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Renton
Your Comment
pavlindrom
I understand Ferrari, BMW and Merc having a part in Formula 1. Ferrari is a fast-car maker, BMW has the M and Merc has the AMG which are also sporty [of course]. What did Honda have to enter? I don’t understand how did they take technology from Formula 1 into normal cars…
I was surprised to find they were participating.
You were surprised to find out that Honda was participating? Only Ferrari has more F1 experience than Honda. Honda is one of the greatest racing companies in the world.
Ferrari is racing company that also sells sports cars, not the other way around.
Mercedes only recently got back to F1 after years of staying out and AMG had nothing to do with it. In fact it was all McLaren run and Benz just provided the funding.
BMW has been in and out of F1, but they are also the real deal when it comes to racing.
The loss of Honda is a serious blow to F1, they have one some great World titles in the past, but of recent, they have failed.
Honda sees what F1 is becoming……a waste of time and BS, uber zealot Ecclestone has taken all the coolness out of it.
You need to up date your car education my friend.
12/08, 5:35 PM
posted by:
miket
If anyone’s still paying attention to this thread, Honda is partially funding the program through March. Hopefully they can court a buyer in time. They are also selling everything for a dollar to whomever can support the team for a couple seasons.
Prodrive’s name as been thrown around by a few anylists as a potential suitor.