[josephr25]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081205/FREE/812059997

Discuss... with intelligence, please.

[Crimson92]

sucks, but the current crises has intelligent companies rethinking their business structure.

[nmulax]

You have to figure Honda has poured a ton of money into the '09 season already - between bringing Brawn onboard, and midway through last season they'd already shifted focus to the 2009 car. Don't they want to see if their work/money has paid off?

By pulling out of F1 in the current economic state, they can't expect to get much for the team.

[josephr25]

Originally Posted by nmulax

You have to figure Honda has poured a ton of money into the '09 season already - between bringing Brawn onboard, and midway through last season they'd already shifted focus to the 2009 car. Don't they want to see if their work/money has paid off?

By pulling out of F1 in the current economic state, they can't expect to get much for the team.

They said they have potential buyers so that's good news.

As stated in f1technical.net this might be a good time to let cigarette sponsorship crawl back in (aside from Marlboro's behind-the-scenes stuff)

[EvilTuna7]

Not surprising and definitely not the last. I think this coming year is going to bring a big shakeup to F1.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by Kampfer

They said they have potential buyers so that's good news.

As stated in f1technical.net this might be a good time to let cigarette sponsorship crawl back in (aside from Marlboro's behind-the-scenes stuff)

Yeah, I think it'd be funny to watch the new owners actually be competitive using the car Honda worked for.
I also agree that they should allow alcohol/tobacco sponsorship. Face it, they have the money; and the global economy needs money pushed into it to improve.

[Motor She Wrote]

Originally Posted by Kampfer

They said they have potential buyers so that's good news.

As stated in f1technical.net this might be a good time to let cigarette sponsorship crawl back in (aside from Marlboro's behind-the-scenes stuff)

The sudden withdrawal seems to say that things are Honda are pretty bad. You wouldn't bring in Brawn and then say 'oh wait, forget about it.' I wouldn't be surprised to see Toyota and maybe a couple others (maybe BMW and one of the privateers) follow Honda out of the sport. It's going to be really hard for manufacturers to justify F1's outlays when they're closing plants and firing people. I don't know how you even make a credible case to keep the team unless you're at the front.

Of course, now this becomes a pretext for Mosley to try to ram through his cost-cutting agenda.

I kinda wonder who's interested in buying the team...

[TK-421]

I knew it would happen to someone, although, I thought it would be a smaller constructor.

[nmulax]

Well Honda was hit with a 30% sales drop in November, they've postponed new plant construction and have slowed existing production numbers. I think it's fair to say that everyone's feeling the economic crisis.

I wouldn't expect BMW, Renault or Ferrari to pull out unless they no longer get to use their own engines. Then they'll pack their bags. Toyota isn't a company with a racing pedigree... they'll follow Honda as soon as they need the cash for something else.

[josephr25]

Originally Posted by Motor She Wrote

Of course, now this becomes a pretext for Mosley to try to ram through his cost-cutting agenda.

Have some fun with this one:

http://www.f1technical.net/news/1119...e2bd045f8a4ab3

"Further to my letter of 18 November (copy attached for convenience), we have completed the tendering process and are now in exclusive negotiations with Cosworth together with Xtrac and Ricardo Transmissions (XR) to supply a complete Formula One power train starting in 2010. The engine will be a current Formula One engine while the transmission will be state-of-the-art Formula One and a joint effort by two companies which already supply transmissions to most of the grid."

[Deda]

i dont care,Bernies wife pull out too!

[Epik]

Honda out, Hyundai in?

[josephr25]

Originally Posted by Epik

Honda out, Hyundai in?

I heard that rumor years ago; as well as a track in S. Korea... but not now.

I hate F1 rumors, spurned by so-called "journalists." There's one like every 5 minutes.