BREAKING NEWS: Toyota Leave F1?
Breaking News: Reports on a Japanese newspaper’s website says that the Toyota Formula One team are pulling out of the sport with immediate effect.
The downbeat report by The Mancini Newspaper states that Japan is now without a Formula One Team, hanks to the recession and the millions of dollars to which it takes to run a team. The decision seems to have come from the board of directors, as opposed to John Howett the team boss.
An article in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport released today said that there would be a new announcement on November 8, but if this new article is to be believed then that decision has already been taken.
However there is a glimmer of hope, the article states they may try and run 2010 as a satellite style operation, similar to the Hayate rnu Kawasaki in MotoGP, where the funds and development are limited but staff and technical help is still available.
If not, the place is likely to be awarded to the Sauber team. For Kobayashi, possibly the most promising newcomer to F1, he could try and join a new team but if unsuccessful the Japanese was worried he would have to abandon racing and go back to working in his father’s Sushi bar!
MORE NEWS WHEN IT COMES – STAY TUNED!
Brawn GP Announced As Honda Officially Hands Over Ownership
The Honda F1 Team is no more, and as from today it shall be known as “Brawn GP”.
The team was brought out of administration by team principal Ross Brawn, and has coined his own name into the title as the major backer to the squad which will continue to be based in Brackley.
After months of speculation, it is nice to finally get it sorted out and see the team will be back on track.
Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will drive for the new team, whose colours are White, yellow and black.
The car will be run at a shakedown today, its name is said to be the BGP 001.
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.”
Brawn added: “It would be impossible to mention all of the people without whom today’s announcement may not have been possible, however I would like to express particular appreciation for the support we have received from Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile), FOM (Formula One Management), FOTA (Formula One Teams Association), BERR (the UK’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), Bridgestone, our other team partners and our many fans the world over.
“The journey ahead will be challenging but exciting and we know we can count on their continued enthusiasm for our team and its ambitions.”
“I am delighted that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will form our race driver line-up for the 2009 season,” he said.
“The vast experience and knowledge that both drivers bring to our team will prove invaluable as we aim to get up to speed in the shortest possible time to be ready for the first race of the season in Melbourne on 29 March. In what will be their fourth season together, their experience with our team in Brackley, our systems and our engineers, will prove a real asset.”
Barrichello Secures 2009 Drive
Rubens Barrichello has secured a 2009 race seat with the yet to be renamed Honda F1 Team, codenamed Brackley F1.
The Brazilian is the most experienced F1 driver of all time, surpassing Riccardo Patrese’s record of 256 races during last season.
An announcement is expected to be made in the very near future where Barrichello and Button will be unveiled as drivers, and the official team name shall be revealed.
“We expect to be able to make an announcement from the company and the team in the near future,” the Yomiuri daily quoted a source at the company’s Japan headquarters as saying.
“Honda has been making all possible efforts to avoid the worst option of having to disband the team.”
Rubens Barrichello told Autosport in an interview at the end of last season;
“I have unfinished business in F1. I am sure I can finish higher up, if not winning the championship. I really believe that is what I deserve.
“It would be a shame not to use the services of someone so eager to do it, plus with all the experience and the speed. It is the right time – and it comes with the willingness to do well.”
Rubens became the most experienced F1 driver ever at the 2008 Turkish GP
Branson Tipped For Honda Buy-Out
British newspaper The Daily Telegraph have tipped Virgin mogul Sir Richard Branson as the front runner in the race to save the Honda F1 Team.
Branson, a multi-billionaire, has multiple holdings through his Virgin group including Airlines, Phones and Television. An F1 team would just add to his portfolio.
Branson often enjoys one-up-manship on rivals, and also likes to be on the front pages so buying an F1 team and “saving” hundreds of jobs in one of Britain’s favourite new sports would really work for him.
“Formula one would do well to have them on board,” a source from inside the Virgin Group told The Daily Telegraph
Prost Wants F1 To Think Rather Than Panic
The four time F1 world champion Alain Prost has called for calm within the F1 paddock, telling te teams and bosses to think rather than panic in the world economic crisis.
“I prefer people who say ‘let’s think’ rather than ‘let’s stop’. Honda aside, I don’t think there is panic,” he said in Paris.
“In F1, everyone is in the same boat with having to reduce budgets, and in the last ten years I had never seen F1 with such an abundance of resources,” Prost continued.
Prost, who drove for top teams including Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren believes that F1′s golden age of overtaking and close racing has gone, and it is now a golden age of safety.
“There is less overtaking and more strategy. Everything happens on the pitwall and the drivers just go.”
“We had to save the brakes and the gearboxes, and monitor fuel consumption, but now it has all been organised by the starting grid,” Prost said.
“I experienced the golden age, but there were crashes, deaths. The drivers today are in a golden age of safety.”
Richards Hopes Honda Find A Buyer – But It Won’t Be Him
David Richards completely dispelled rumours that he would buy the remains of the Honda F1 Team today by stating he hoped they found a buyer before the start of the season, but that it would not be him.
The motor racing veteran has decided against purchasing the team in the current economic climate, especially with dark clouds hanging over the British supercar manufacturer Aston Martin which he also owns.
It will be sad not to see Richards back in the pitlane, whose most recent F1 extroverts were with the BAR Honda team, and subsequently with the Prodrive F1 Team which never quite took off.
“I really hope there is a solution there because there are a lot of great people at that team.” Richards told Autosport in an exclusive interview.
“It is a team that should be racing and I am still a great supporter of Jenson Button. I think he has never had his fair opportunity to shine and show his true talents.
“But being realistic, in the current world, it’s going to be a very difficult uphill battle.”
Meanwhile, despite no buyer being found Norbert Haug of Mercedes Benz claims that their engine offer is still on the table and will be for the foreseeable future.
“The timing is anything else but fantastic, but we can still do it. There is not a deadline like tomorrow or next week, but time is running.” Haug said.
For Richards though, today was cause for a small celebration.
His Aston Martin company have unveiled ambitious plans to design and build a Le Mans Prototype car capable of winning the entire Le Mans 24h Endurance Race.
Richards has entered various Aston Martin DBR9′s in recent years into the GT1 category and they have achieved much success. Aston Martin have sold cars onto customers who get frequent race wins in various GT1 series’ around the world. At Autosport International show, Prodrive, Richards’ motorsport company took the covers of an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to conincide with their Vantage GT2 car allowing them to race in lots of categories and series’.
However, this is the first indicaiton that they are going all out to win the 24h title.
Audi and Peugeot have been at the top of the standings for many years, especially now with their diesel powered cars. But in 2003 Bentley won the 24h race, and with new regulations to make diesel and petrol powered cars more alike in the race for competition, Aston’s V12 project seems viable.
“How on earth did we get here? How could Aston Martin be so audacious as to go to Le Mans and challenge the benchmark teams with their turbo-diesel engines and the record of experience that they have had over the last years?” said Richards.
“2009 is a hugely significant year for Aston Martin at Le Mans and the challenge of reclaiming victory in this famous race for Aston Martin and Great Britain was simply too great to ignore. It’s a leap of faith and a step into the unknown for us, it really is a David and Goliath exercise, but it is that British fighting spirit that we are going to give it a try and see what we can do.
“However, we do not underestimate the task. While we have won the GT1 class for the last two years, competing against the proven speed and endurance of the diesel-powered cars, with all their years of winning the prototype class, will be a massive undertaking. But one thing is for certain that unless you give it a go, you are not going to achieve anything.”
The car will be painted in Gulf racing colours, a classic racer scheme. There are likely to be 3 cars entered, but only 5 drivers have been confirmed; Stefan Muecke, Jan Charoz, Thomas Enge, Harold Primat and Darren Turner. With Honda not finding a buyer, could Jenson Button come into the team? Or maybe even Anthony Davidson?
Aston Martin at the 2008 Le Mans 24h
Ecclestone To Ask Big Teams To Field 3 Cars
Bernie Ecclestone has spoken of a major plan he may implement in the wake of teams such as Honda pulling out of F1.
The F1 ruler Ecclestone is contractually bound to have a field of at least 18 cars, a position we now find ourselves in. With the world financial crisis setting in, more independent teams such as Williams in danger of going out of business; it could leave the entireity of F1 in jepoardy.
Thus, Ecclestone wants the big teams who are financially stable, such as Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber to field 3 cars to ‘make up the numbers’.
“If the manufacturers supply engines to other people, they can run three cars themselves.” Ecclestone told DPA
“It is better to have 20 cars on the grid, whether they are in the hands of manufacturers or in private hands, that doesn’t make any difference,” he added.
Big teams like Scuderia Ferrari could be forced to field 3 cars. It may give test drivers, and young drivers a shot at an F1 seat.
Citroen/Peugeot Look To Buy Defunct Honda Team
The Citroen Peugeot partnership PSA are reportedly contacting the former Honda F1 Team at Brackley to enquire about purchasing the team as a going concern.
The French automobile producers are reportedly looking to get involved in F1 after massive cost cuts have been announced.
Citroen and Peugeot (along with Renault) are recieveing support from the French government in the wake of the massive global financial crisis, and sales of cars are not harming them too much at the moment. The crisis has already gained another scalp, Suzuki this morning announced their plans to leave the WRC.
Citroen are currently the reigning world rally champions, and with the greatest rally driver of the current era Sebastian Loeb racing for them they are finding plenty of success here.
Peugeot are also gaining success in the Le Mans series championships with their 908 FAP diesel race car, challenging the undisputed kings of the sport Audi. Peugeot also have past F1 experience supplying engines to both Jordan and Prost in the 1990′s.
It gives competition to Prodrive’s David Richards who claims to have the backing, but no official move has been seen yet.
If PSA are successful, the rumour mill suggests that Jenson Button will remain with the team and be partnered with Sebastien Bourdais. Also, Sebastian Loeb will be brought in as a test driver with a view to a 2010 seat.
Jordan J195 with Peugeot engines
Ecclestone Reckons Honda Won’t Be A Great Loss To F1
Bernie Ecclestone reckons that Honda won’t be a huge loss to Formula One as a sport, citing their serious spending as ‘wasteful’.
The 78 year old veteran of Formula One thinks they set a bad example to F1 teams by spending an absolute fortune and ending up pretty much nowhere, 9th in the constructors championship in 2008.
They were much more successful as an engine manufacturer, and through Mugen their tuning company partner.
“Honda will be no great loss,” he said at the London boutique Moussaieff, where he was promoting an event involving his daughter Tamara.
“Just look at where they finished in the championship – ninth. They wasted millions and were a bad example to other teams.”
“In Formula One, teams come and go. It’s not the end of the world. Only Ferrari has been there since the start.”
“Now they’ve gone, we’ve got a chance to bring in some sense to the teams about how much they should spend.”
Meanwhile he told the Telegraph newspaper that a buyer for the team should be unveiled within the week.
He said: “I’m keen for the team to be kept in place. We have whittled it down to three serious potential buyers.”
Bernie Ecclestone (right) with Takeo Fuki (left) and a Honda official
Brawn and Wurz Unconcerned About Their Future
Ross Brawn and Alex Wurz have both claimed they are unconcerned about their futures in the wake of the Honda F1 Teams demise.
While Nick Fry is furiously searching for a buyer, who we believe will be David Richards using an Arabian backer, Ross BRawn is much more chilled out about the whole matter. He is very disappointed to have lost the team, a team he only joined 12 months ago after very successful times in F1 with Ferrari and Benetton, and also in sportscar racing, but if he doesn’t get another job he is going to go and enjoy himself.
Ross told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport: “If the team has to close, I’ll just go fishing for a year, which is my hobby anyway.”
MEanwhile test driver Alex Wurz, himself now 37 and having had a fairly successful racing career which ended with Williams last season, taking home a podium in the process admits he isn’t going to furiously search for a job.
” I will look for another seat for sure, probably test not race, but I will probably not seek it with full power.” Wurz told APA
Richards On Verge Of Honda Team Purchase
Reports in today’s Telegraph newspaper have said that David Richards is on the verge of purchasing the former Honda F1 team and its facilities from the Honda Motor Company.
Richards is no stranger to motorsport, or even this team having been the team principal back in the days when it was BAR Honda.
The team is for sale at the nominal fee of £1, and Honda are even offering to wipe its current debts too. With the current seasons costing around $300million, it would need a wealthy backer even though costs are set to reduce over the next few seasons.
It would see a long time dream of owning an F1 team come to frutition for Richards who managed the failed Prodrive project.
The deal could be clinched by the end of the weekend, and may well convince Jenson Button to stay with the team, rather than head to Toro Rosso after his test next week (below).
Button Could Test With Toro Rosso Next Week
It has been reported today that Jenson Button could test with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team as soon as next week, as the Faenza based outfit look to finalise their drivers for the forthcoming season.
Button has been left without a seat after the Honda team went out of business yesterday.
The bosses at Honda Motor Company have said that they are willing to release Button from his current contract which sees him locked in for 2009 without the possibility of moving, if he wanted too.
The Guardian newspaper reports that Franz Tost of the Toro Rosso team management wants Button to have a test, Tost and Button have experience of working together from Button’s first season in F1 with the BMW powered Williams back in 2000.
Pictoral Tribute – Honda 2000-2008
A pictoral tribute to Honda, some of their best (and worst) moments of their time between 2000 and 2008.
Honda start supplying engines to BAR, a team they would buy in 2006
Veteran Olivier Panis driving for them in 2001 before defecting to arch rivals Toyota
Honda started supplying Jordan with Honda badged engines, not just Mugen ones
This led to Takuma Sato driving for Jordan in 2002
But Honda had to decide which team to support and they chose BAR
Villeneuve walked in 2003
Leaving Sato to take over in Japan and finish 5th
At Imola in 2004, Jenson Button scored his first pole position
Just a year later at the same race, BAR Honda were disqualified and banned for 2 races
At the end of 2005 Honda bought out BAT and renamed the team Honda Racing for 2006
Rubens Barrichello left Ferrari for Honda and alongside Jenson Button created a feared pairing
Jenson and Honda Finally Won! Hungary 2006, the high point
At the end of 2006, Lucky Strike walked...
...and Honda created the EarthDreams livery and concept
Barrichello celebrated 257 Grand Prix making him the most experienced driver ever, but in truth scoring no points in 2007 and very few in 2008 wasn't good
The RA108 under the lights in Singapore, the team finished 9th in the constructors, its worst position since the bad times of BAR in 2000
After the final GP, Brazil 2008 one of the engines just gives up
Bruno Senna tested just a few weeks ago, but his hopes of a seat have gone
...
See ya!
Villeneuve Believes Honda’s Exit Driven By Economics; Frentzen Saddened By Loss Of Team
Jacques Villeneuve believes that Honda’s decision to leave F1 has been driven by the current economic climate and politics within F1 and outside of the sport.
Villeneuve, competing in the Speedcar series at the moment, drove for Honda under the BAR guise when they provided engines between 2000-2003.
“I don’t think F1 is one of Honda’s biggest expenses, but with the world economic climate as it is you have to be perceived to be making cuts,” Villeneuve said.
“I think it’s more of a political decision.”
He believes that the fact they scored just 18 points in the past two seasons, and have had little or no success accelerated the decision to quit, despite claims that they were ready for 2009 and had a potentially race winning machine.
Jacques Villeneuve in the BAR Honda in 2002
Meanwhile, another former Formula One driver Heinz Harald Frentzen believes it is incredibly sad to see a manufacturer who have been in some way involved in F1 for so long leave. He believed that under the guidance of ex-Ferrari ace Ross Brawn, the team had decent potential.
“It’s sad that a long-term manufacturer with wins in the past has decided to quit,” Frentzen saidd “I thought with Ross Brawn they would attack again. It’s a big surprise.”
HHF drove in F1 last with Sauber Petronas in 2003
Honda Not Quitting MotoGP
Honda Racing Europe have been quick to come out and claim that Honda will not be quitting MotoGP as part of the overall scaling back operation by the Japanese manufacturer.
The scaling back of operations has led to the Formula One team being shut down, but Honda will continue to fund their MotoGP team in the wake of today’s shock revelations.
The Repsol Honda team admit that they, along with the other MotoGP teams need to bring costs under control in the sport to keep it running successfully.
“The decision to pull out of F1 does not affect the other forms of motorsport Honda are involved in,” Paul Ormond, Honda Racing Europe’s spokeman told Autosport.
“We will be looking at reducing our costs, as we’re sure other teams will be doing too, in MotoGP and other motorcycle activities.”
Brawn and Fry To Try and Save The Honda Team – Buyers Lined Up; Ferrari?
Ross Brawn and Nick Fry have been working furiously throughout the night since discovering that the Honda mangement in Japan have pulled the plug on their F1 programme, in attempts to get a new owner.
The pair want to save the team, and everyone’s jobs. If unsuccessful, it could see a significant number of people unemployed.
Brawn has, allegedly, lined up a number of potential buyers, and is in talks with Ferrari to get engines for the forthcoming season.
Going once, going twice... Ross has allegedly got buyers lined up.
With that Ferrari link, we can make some assumptions on potential purchasers. Ferrari could buy the team and run it as a B-Team, like McLaren are Force India and Red Bull run Toro Rosso. Gerhard Berger could buy it, and he has close affiliation with Ferrari (securing 2008 engines for Toro Rosso last season), and he could be interested in starting his own squad. Alain Prost could make a return, to get a race seat for his son. Jenson Button could rally support from sponsors and do some form of driver buy-out. Adrian Campos could buy it, he has been sniffing around F1 for some time.
Honda’s marketing director David Butler wrote a letter to Japan, and has said this:
“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.”
Honda Confirm F1 Exit
The Honda Racing F1 Team have today confirmed their exit from all Formula One activities commencing today.
The Japanese manufacturer, who had a large operation in Brackley, England, made the announcement to the suprise of everyone, and being one of the largest manufacturers involved in the sport have sent shockwaves through the paddock.
It was an announcement no-one expected, not least Ross Brawn, Jenson Button and Nick Fry.
Honda have admitted it was a very hard decision to make, and the reason they have taken it is because of the current financial and economic crisis.
An Official Statement Read:
“Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount. 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.”
Keep tuned for more information and analysis.
