Brawn GP takes Honda F1’s place on the 2009 F1 grid

[megasyxx]

I know this is crazy and won't happen but it'll be awesome if an American company can purchase Honda somewhat like Force India but it'll be with America. Maybe it can bring interest of F1 back to the states and turn this whole thing around...

i'm hoping for that too....but it really costs too much being in f1, unlike american series like indy cars, nascar, cart, etc. just being based around the u.s. area can really save a lot of $$$

[ric.rios]

After hearing from three prospective buyers, Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry believes that Button and fellow driver Rubens Barrichello will be on the starting grid at the 2009 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29.

so has Nick said that RB will be 09 driver for ____________ (new team)

[/quote]
Excellent notice!

[iceman1]

[Earth]

sad picture so Honda won't be in incoming tests?

[phil1993]

No, they won't be

[Earth]

No, they won't be

This is the end :sad:

[iceman1]

Following Honda's surprise decision to withdraw entirely from Formula One, Toyota has issued a statement confirming its intention to continue moving forward with its F1 programme.

Honda cited the difficult global economic context and a consequently lower number of car sales in its major markets to justify the decision, which brought about speculation that fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota could also pull out of the sport for similar reasons.

However, underlining the wave of cost-cutting measures to be implemented - and with more to follow - Toyota has issued a statement which clearly indicates that its presence in Formula One will continue for the time being.

"Honda's decision is a pity for us as a Japanese team. However, we cannot comment more about their situation because this is an issue for Honda," the statement reads.

"Toyota is currently committed to succeeding in Formula One, and to reducing our costs.
We are contributing to the FOTA (Formula One Teams' Association) activities which will achieve significant cost reductions, whilst maintaining the spirit of the sport."

"We hope FOTA's proposals and activities will be given the widespread support they deserve as they provide the sound, stable base Formula One requires at this time," Toyota declared.

The press release should therefore put an end to any short-term speculation. The team recently confirmed to Racing-Live.com that it remains committed to Formula One until 2012.

However, Toyota is considering a return to endurance racing, a programme which could not co-exist with a Formula One team in the current economic situation.

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International

[ric.rios]

KKKK!I saw this image yesterday on Capelli.
Very funny.

[fclen]

Button could test for Toro Rosso

According to the British newspaper 'The Guardian', Jenson Button was approached by the Scuderia Toro Rosso after the announcement of Honda's withdrawal from F1. Franz Tost, who runs the Faenza-based outfit, worked together with Button at Williams in 2000 and is believed to have interest in the Briton. Button could already be invited to test for Toro Rosso next week at Jerez.

[phil1993]

I heard Mateschitz say that Honda withdrawal will not affect STR's 09 driver options, but a Button-Buemi line up would be cool

[shailf1]

I got this from somewhere else. This appears to be a bet on who will buy honda

3/1 = Porsche Racing Corporation

4/1 = Volkswagen Corporation

6/1 = BMW

7/1 = Dietrich Mataschitz (Red Bull owner)

8/1 = Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (owner of man city football club)

78/1 = I Sport international (GP2 Team)

75/1 = ART Grand Prix (GP2 Team)

101/1 = Aguri Suzuki

[iceman1]

HOW SAFE ARE REMAINING TEAMS?

BMW Sauber - secure
Large budget, safe despite 25% slump in BMW sales.

Ferrari - very secure
Future not in doubt. Huge fanbase, beating heart of F1.

Force India - secure
Owned by billionaire Vijay Millya, well-funded for 2009 at least.

McLaren - very secure
Sound finances, strong core of sponsors.

Red Bull - secure
Owned by billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, money no object.

Renault - vulnerable
Manufacturing losses make team vulnerable to Honda-style pull-out.

Toro Rosso - safe
Also owned by Mateschitz - how long can he sustain two teams?

Toyota - vulnerable
Very large budget, car sales down, could struggle.

Williams - vulnerable
Big losses in 2007, no car maker or billionaire backing.

[swca92]

I'm surprised Prodrive aren't interested,but anyway for a Middle Eastern royal family,with billions of pounds from oil,the Honda F1 team is perfect.Everything's in place,they just need money,And to these families the costs of an F1 team is peanuts to them.200m a year? That's nothing to them

[AzShadow]

This one says that David Richards would be interested in the Honda team:
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 1824.shtml

[Rachael The Great]

I read in the paper that Bruno Senna is rumoured to be taking Rubens place at Honda if it is sold.
I don't know if that's true but it says he's tipped.