Petem95

Car firms are being utterly hammered by the credit crunch - BMW have recently said we are going though the "biggest [financial] crisis in history", Toyota have even cancelled the unveiling of their 2009 F1 to save money and Mercedes have questioned their investment in motorsports.

With F1 costing 100's of millions per year, budgets no doubt WILL be cut...

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few big name manufacturers pull out next season. If Toyota aren't near the sharp end of the grid next season then I expect they'll pull out. Honda are probably in a similar position and I expect BMW and Mercedes will cut budgets massively.

Should be an interesting season anyway

MrRA

I hope they continue to commit to F1 and motorsport in general, otherwise we have the potential to see the death of a sport as we know it.

The FIA is trying to impose a 'one engine suits all' scenario as it is. This will make it even easier.

Leslie

A one engine formula one would kill itself pretty quickly I think.

Les

MrRA

I agree. The fact that they have imposed an aero package restriction doesn't help in my opinion either. Soon we will have no distinction between the cars whatsoever, then we may as well call it A1 GP.

Hoppy

F1 was in crisis before the crunch. Far too much politics, really stupid, and not enough racing. Not to mention ludicrous costs. It needed sorting out, and now it will be. There'll be tears before bed time though.

darts_aint_sport

I see this as a good thing. Maybe we'll see a return to the smaller customer teams instead of a purely manufacturer's championship.

Tidgy

i can't see f1 ever dying, most of the systems you take fro granted on your car were developed for F1, only reason things havn't advanced quicker is due to stupid rule in f1 limiting things they can do

M535I

no doubt some arab will come buy them out with the billions from there oil , just to clarifie that's not a racist remark as thats what will more than likley happen.

Petem95

Honda pulls out of Formula One - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

Didn't expect them to pull out THAT soon!!

I wouldn't be surprised if others made the same move if they got off to a poor start in '09..

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

It's just shocking that only this time last year, they brought in Ross Brawn to have a crack at sorting it out. We would only have seen results on impact next year. What a complete waste of money and time.

Would be a bargin team though for someone to snap up for next year with a Ross Brawn developed car!

michaelro

Might be Prodrive's way into the sport....

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Exactly what I was thinking on the way to work this morning. Time for them to put their money where their mouth is!

stilover

Up for sale for £1.

Shocking news. Jenson Button is without a seat now. Can see Toyota following suit pretty soon.

Thing is though, after they let David Richards go, who gave them their biggest results (Barring Jensons win) 2009 was probably their best year to step up to the front end of the grid. New regulation + Ross Brawn. They said investing £200m was too much, but £200m is nothing when developing a new car. £200m would probably just design a new dashboard.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Exactly, I heard that the top teams, several years ago were spending in excess of £400m! It just shows that Honda were never really serious about competing. They had only been in control of the team for 3 years for **** sake!

Hoppy

This was maybe the excuse Honda have been looking for. Their performance has been abysmal, and considering Honda's brand status, their huge resources and investment, and a glittering past, finishing last was doing them no favours.

Not sure other teams have been spending so much to gain so little, so hopefully this doesn't signal a massive grid walk out.

Richard.

Petem95

Williams are in financial trouble according to the 'Honda quitting' article on BBC news

Would be sad to see them go under. I'm pretty sure Honda won't be the last team to leave the grid in 2009 tho - if Toyota get off to a bad start then I expect they'll follow suit.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Honda have never been serious about F1 in the long term. They expected to win the championship within 3 years of taking over BAR.

Nicci

Shame that some of the teams need the one engine rule to survive.

Poor Honda racing staff, 'merry christmas you are losing your jobs.'

Flatcapdriver

That makes a lot more sense than it does on first reading. Williams knows how to win but lacks the personnel and with Honda's engine plus Ross Brawn it would almost make me want to watch the sport again.

Shame there's no sentiment in F1 to make it happen.

r32

Expect BMW and Mercedes to review their involvement. They could both pull out, but betting is on Toyota to follow Honda........

Leslie

Hope Honda find a buyer as is rumoured-dont want to see Button without a drive.

Les

Coffin Dodger

Although it isn't good for the sport in some respects I think they have done the right thing. They are in difficulties right now, there is talk of upwards of 1000 job losses at the Swindon plant as well as reduced production / possible move to short working weeks etc.

If you were employed by them and facing all that I don't suppose you'd be best pleased that they still have enough cash to plough however many £millions into their F1 team next year yet you're facing redundancy

Hats off to them for doing something positive

davyboy

Old Max makes a good point today.

Having a staff of 700 or 800 to put 2 cars on a grid 18 times a year is not sustainable.

Some Arabs are looking at the factory tomorrow.

corradoboy

In the current climate, could the FIA impose that all teams suspend development and use their previous years car for the foreseeable future until the world sorts its money troubles out I don't like the idea of generic engines, it goes against the whole ethos of F1.

stilover

Me neither. F1 is all about the pinicle of motorsport. And that includes advances in technology that F1 teams are so good at.

1 engine for all teams? 1 gearbox for all teams?

Thats GP2 isn't it?

The big teams will still spend the same money. Just on other things to make sure they keep winning.

stilover

They were getting there under David Richards. Constantly getting on the podium. They thought they were almost there so sacked DR so if they started winning and/or claimed a championship they could claim it was all their doing.

Hiring a Motorbike designer to design an F1 car was their biggest mistake. The put in place the right people to fix it (Ross brawn) but haven't given him the chance to show what he can do.

mart360

I work with guys who have colleagues in all of the big F1 teams...


Rumours are...

There are several of the other BIG teams who could be pulling out also due to the impact on there core business activities..
Williams was also seen as another one to go as well.


prehaps a break would be the best thing for the sport. it may give the FIA and the other players a wake up call!!!


Mart

jjones

not so good if you're one of the 800 at brackley though