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This is an update to:
Honda Withdraws From Formula One
Honda Racing CEO Nick Fry is optimistic that a new owner will be found for the team following Friday’s announcement that parent company Honda are withdrawing from Formula One racing.
The Japanese car giant has put the team up for sale and Fry and other senior management are now in a race against time to find a buyer ahead of the 2009 season. However, he says they have already received several serious enquiries.
“In the last 12 hours we’ve had three serious people come and suggest they’d like to buy the team,” Fry said. “We’re one of the best-funded teams and have the best assets and resources in the pit lane - we’ll be quite a desirable asset for somebody.”
“Both Max [FIA head Mosley] and myself [Bernie Ecclestone] have been campaigning now for quite a long time to try to reduce the necessity to spend vast amounts of money to be competitive,” he said.
“When you consider that Honda have got 700 people working there to put two cars on the starting grid, it’s a little bit cranky to be honest with you.”
Mosley said there would be plenty of potential buyers but only if the cost of competing could be controlled.
“We must get the costs down to the point where a potential purchaser can see that he can run the team without having to subsidise it with huge sums of money and then there has to be a source of an engine,” he said.
“All of those conditions can be satisfied so I’m optimistic that it can be solved though I think it’s by no means certain.”
Former team boss Eddie Jordan was also confident there would be a buyer for the Northamptonshire-based team.
“I do believe that Honda will be snapped up,” he said. “It’s too good, it’s a jewel in the crown.”
Read more on this:
Honda Withdraws From Formula One
Honda’s F1 Departure Could Shock Global Motorsport
Honda Will Still Compete In Superbike
F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Called Honda’s Exit A “Wake-Up Call” For The Sport
UPDATE: December 6, 2008 12:50 am
Full statement from Honda:
“We, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation.”
“This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies.”
“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.”
“Surmounting many challenges, the Honda Team achieved a Grand Prix victory in 2006, enabling Honda to receive overwhelming support from Honda fans around the world that were looking forward to greater success. It, therefore, has been an extremely difficult decision for us to come to this conclusion without having been able to fully meet the expectations of our fans.”
“Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our fans and all those who have supported Honda’s Formula One efforts, including everyone in the world of Formula One.”
“Thank you very much.”
Takeo Fukui
President and CEO
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Read more on this:
Honda’s F1 Departure Could Shock Global Motorsport
Honda Races Against Time To Find A Buyer For Formula 1 Team Ahead Of 2009 Season
Honda Will Still Compete In Superbike
F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone Called Honda’s Exit A “Wake-Up Call” For The Sport
