Honda Withdraws from Formula One Racing Due to Business Conditions
05 December 2008
Honda Motor Company is withdrawing from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation, due to the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, said Takeo Fukui, President and CEO.
Fukui attributed the worsening business environment to the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies.
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.
—Takeo Fukui
In its third era of Formula One activities, Honda has been participating in Formula One races from the 2000 season, initially with BAR, by adopting a new format of jointly developing racing machines. Subsequently, in a move to meet the changing environment surrounding Formula One, it switched to running a 100% Honda-owned team commencing with the 2006 season.
So should Toyota, BMW, Renault and others.
We've had enough noisy pollution form those race cars.
Posted by: HarveyD | 05 December 2008 at 07:16 AM
What we need now is not the Race car, but the vehicle that gives max mileage.
Good decision Honda. We are anxiously expecting their Insight Hybrid. Hope its a hyper-miler.
Posted by: Max Reid | 05 December 2008 at 09:52 AM
The racing teams are about developing tech. I read an article that asserted that honda was about to "capitalize on their investments" whatever that means. I know the audi team is reaping the benefits of their newest tdi tech... and that's a good thing.
(Max: the benefits of that particular tech came precisely from max mileage, but if you're on gcc, I suppose you've seen the article :)
I'll agree that f1 is a category that offers relatively few returns for all its costs, I wonder what they'll do with their other race teams?
I also wonder if in the sale of the team, the tech is for sale also?
Posted by: Brian | 05 December 2008 at 10:44 AM
What we need now is not the Race car, but the vehicle that gives max mileage.
Sadly this is a very typical display of ignorance. Racing programs are some of the best methods of improving mileage. The most efficient race engines will produce the most power t the least weight using the least amount of fuel (also weight). Almost every aspect of race car engine design can be transferred over to more efficient daily drivers.
Now lets see the EV Indy 25. Some day is might be the EV Indy 500 but today's cars will die at around 25 miles.
Posted by: | 05 December 2008 at 12:21 PM
That's one perspective. Racing vehicles are rarely optimized for fuel economy, much less at city/highway speeds. I'd like to see support for Almost every aspect of race car engine design can be transferred over to more efficient daily drivers.
Posted by: Will S. | 05 December 2008 at 01:02 PM
Sadly this is a very typical display of ignorance. Racing programs are some of the best methods of improving mileage.
Please. That is an ignorant statement. Progress can happen without racing.
Posted by: | 05 December 2008 at 02:55 PM
In order to reduce F1 expenses, there is a new a proposal for the 2010 season and further seasons:
ONE single engine supplier for all the teams: Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso does not like this proposal and he would leave F1 racing if this proposal is adopted.
Posted by: Jorge | 05 December 2008 at 04:32 PM
People who saying that racing is a waste are very ignorant. Racing engines are one of the most efficient ICE having typical compression ratio of 15:1 with all that fuel efficient technology. More recently racing engines have become testbeth of alternative fuel such as E85 and energy saving system such as regenerative braking. Also heavy aerodymanic reseachs are done by developing racing cars. Of course road cars have completely different shapes from racing cars now but if you see the concept designs of future cars, their designs are cued from current racing cars shape
And i think most people here does not like to enjoy their lives.
Posted by: zard | 05 December 2008 at 04:52 PM
Progress can happen without racing.
Such a bold statement. LOL! You state the obvious as if it's not understood by all. Progress can happen without a lot of things. But progress happens quickest under a demanding, technical, competition, where rewards are present - which is what occurs in racing.
And, yes, fuel efficiency is very important in racing. The more fuel a car must carry the slower it will go, or the more power it will require. The car that can miss a pit stop to refuel will likely win over the car that must stop.
Posted by: | 05 December 2008 at 05:55 PM
I take issue with the current racing regulations: they dictate technology minimizing innovation.
Limits have their place: safety. This should be done by limiting ends (hp) and not means (displacement, red line, etc.). It would be really interesting to see what teams could do with turbos, steam engines, etc. Let an F1 engineer out of the box and you could really see some magic.
Personally, I'm all for electric racing. The teams could have hot swap packs every three laps or so. This would cause teams to push/refine motor and battery technology. Superconducting motors? Anyone? Anyone?
For those who miss the sound, switched reluctance motors would probably fill the void. They are noisy and, frankly, sound cool. Could also use some r/d $ to increase specific power, efficiency, and tq ripple.
Posted by: GreenPkease | 05 December 2008 at 08:43 PM
If Honda has been among the top three in Formula one team ranking, they definitely would not have withdrawn. Previously, they partnered with McLaren and when they reenter the competition, they went in alone. The problem is after so many years, the car had not been competitive due to reasons other than the engine. They had serious issues with aerodynamics, brakes, etc.
Their KERs system, though thought to be advanced, could not even put their car among the top places in testing.
Finally, without sponsors, staying in the sport does not make more sense.
The other big names are staying put.
Posted by: Peace Hugger | 06 December 2008 at 12:47 AM
I think the EV 25 is a great idea. This would bring electric cars into the track and begin showing their capabilities. 25 km is a nice little race.
I think this would get fans into the stands and be a super "pre-race" show.
Within a year or so, the EV 50 could be achieved and then longer races. (Eventually an EV 500 with battery swapping?)
Posted by: John Taylor | 06 December 2008 at 06:24 AM
Why couldn't you develop an EV 500 race? The batteries don't have to be permanently riveted in. The competing technologies would be interchangeable batteries and the ability of the ground crew to quick charge them up while the car goes around the track. Nothing wrong with that. Real problem is, no competition. How many companies or teams have the cars to do such a thing or even want to start it up? There are electric racing bikes out there, can a car be far behind?
Posted by: aym | 06 December 2008 at 09:16 AM
Aym, Good idea - just call an EV500 race - get someone like Brin or Gates to put up decent prize money and see what happens.
Just define rules - say no more than N sets of batteries ( say N=4 or 10 ) and let it develop.
They change tyres in F1, they can change batteries in EVx.
The only problem would be the lack of noise and drama - (unless you give an extra prize for the best (!?) noise, as well as fastest.
Posted by: mahonj | 06 December 2008 at 01:17 PM
yeah watching a racing that has no engine sound is like watching a movie that is muted it is going to be boring...Racing isn't just has to be enviromentally clean but also must be entertaining...entertainment is one of major purpose of racing so i disagree with electric car racing...maybe we can use biofuel from 3rd generation technology.
Posted by: zard | 06 December 2008 at 04:12 PM