Honda to buy some of BAR

[simonrockman]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4019701.stm

But then Honda got close to having its own F1 team about five years ago, the project was canned but they went into engine supply.

Simon

[Eric Mc]

Honda DID have their own F1 team - between 1964 and 1968. In fact, the first F1 win on Goodyear tyres was with Honda in 1965.

[Chris_w]

Eric Mc said:

Honda DID have their own F1 team - between 1964 and 1968. In fact, the first F1 win on Goodyear tyres was with Honda in 1965.

...and with some stunning cars. Honda have bought some of their old F1 cars to the Goodwood FoS the last couple of times I've been and they really are spectacularly turned out:



Full list here.

[dinkel]

The worlds first 3 seater Grand Prix car, Richie Ginthers Honda, with Innes Ireland and Jo Bonnier as the backseat drivers.



Luvly v12
www.svvs.org/goodw'fs3/Honda%20V12%20engine.jpg

[FourWheelDrift]

Honda confirms 45% buyout of BAR and ends Prodrives consultancy contract, meaning David Richards will be out. According to most sources.

[mutt k]

Wonder what Chocolate Button will make of that then?

[FourWheelDrift]

Probably followed by lots of and them some

[jimmyc412t2]

I can't see this as a good thing. Chopping and changing management is not a good thing, and Honda putting layers of management in will be...um...interesting.

Stability is whats required, just look at Ferrari. I know Prodrive were brought in as troubleshooters but still, why mess with something that has serious momentum.

Seems VERY clear to me now why Button wanted to go to Williams

I dearly hope I'm wrong about this but history tends to tell us this is a bad thing (Ferrari and in particular, Stewart/Jaguar are prime examples)

[Chris_w]

jimmyc412t2 said:

I can't see this as a good thing. Chopping and changing management is not a good thing, and Honda putting layers of management in will be...um...interesting. Stability is whats required, just look at Ferrari. I know Prodrive were brought in as troubleshooters but still, why mess with something that has serious momentum. Seems VERY clear to me now why Button wanted to go to Williams I dearly hope I'm wrong about this but history tends to tell us this is a bad thing (Ferrari and in particular, Stewart/Jaguar are prime examples)

Couldn't agree more, BAR have gone from strength to strength under Prodrive. What on earth are Honda thinking?

Conspiracy theories:

- Button had inkling this might happen so tried to move to Williams but had to use the weak excuse of Honda potentially pulling out to break his contract as he had no proof of what he suspected was going to happen?

- Button (or his management) wanted Richards gone? Seems very unlikey even with their contractural dispute.

- Honda actually believe they can do a better job?!?

All seems crazy to me. Wonder what Richards will do now? Could take over from Max Mosley who wanted to quit anyway?

[jimmyc412t2]

Chris_w said:

Couldn't agree more, BAR have gone from strength to strength under Prodrive. What on earth are Honda thinking? Conspiracy theories: - Button had inkling this might happen so tried to move to Williams but had to use the weak excuse of Honda potentially pulling out to break his contract as he had no proof of what he suspected was going to happen? - Button (or his management) wanted Richards gone? Seems very unlikey even with their contractural dispute. - Honda actually believe they can do a better job?!? All seems crazy to me. Wonder what Richards will do now? Could take over from Max Mosley who wanted to quit anyway?

As far as Button is concerned, i think its probably a mix of the fact that Prodrive was short term, the contractual issues and lets not forget that Button and Frank Williams do seem to have a massive amount of respect for each other. The can't have wanted DR gone, why bite the hand that feeds? Getting rid of DR was always more a Villeneuve/Pollock thing in my book.

Honda are silly to mess with the current setup, but they are pouring millions in so its understandable...if somewhat misguided.

I think critically, its another case of mismanagement by BAT who, due to being a fag company, have no idea about F1.

BAT should really be executing an exit strategy rather than getting into bed with Honda. It should be Prodrive and Honda going ahead, not BAT and Honda.

I think its another prime example of finanical & political considerations getting in the way of what is actually happening on the track...AGAIN!!

[Chris_w]

jimmyc412t2 said:

BAT should really be executing an exit strategy rather than getting into bed with Honda. It should be Prodrive and Honda going ahead, not BAT and Honda.

Most surprising perhaps is Honda wanting to cosy up to a tobacco firm. Their cuddly 'clean' diesel ads on tv might not sit so well on the side of a fag-ad adorned F1 car.

Still, I guess it doesn't bother Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault et al.

[toppstuff]

jimmyc412t2 said:

As far as Button is concerned, i think its probably a mix of the fact that Prodrive was short term, the contractual issues and lets not forget that Button and Frank Williams do seem to have a massive amount of respect for each other. The can't have wanted DR gone, why bite the hand that feeds? Getting rid of DR was always more a Villeneuve/Pollock thing in my book. Honda are silly to mess with the current setup, but they are pouring millions in so its understandable...if somewhat misguided. I think critically, its another case of mismanagement by BAT who, due to being a fag company, have no idea about F1. BAT should really be executing an exit strategy rather than getting into bed with Honda. It should be Prodrive and Honda going ahead, not BAT and Honda. I think its another prime example of finanical & political considerations getting in the way of what is actually happening on the track...AGAIN!!

Absolutely on the money ! Quite agree !

Consider that pride dictates that they want to outperform Toyota and that Prodrive delivered that and a lot more , vying for real championship winning potential.

I fear that Honda will make a royal mess of this.

Should have left well alone.

As for DR, well I would'nt be surprised if he took over from Bernie eventually.....