No More Honda F1 in 2009

[DTNS]

Honda just confirmed their withdrawal to immediate effect!
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=36686


I'm not a honda fan. but this is certainly sad news! 

[Dj]

same topic? > http://www.autoindustriya.com/talkboard/index.php?topic=27598.0;topicseen

[mrk888]

this is sad new for honda fans

[Accord GTR]

I have a feeling that the reason is not purely on the economy.  This is the official line of course but I feel there is more to it than that.  The Japs are non-confrontational in their corporate actions and will not want to lose face.  They had a sad record last year which was even worse when they were B.A.R. and previous years.  Other reasons I'm thinking is Honda's disappointment with the way the rules are managed which turned out to be disadvantageous for teams like Honda that were not as far in their development as the Top Teams.  In other words, it's hard to remain competitive if the rules are stacked against you.  Secondly, probaly, Max Mosley's exonoration by the FIA board after his embarrassing incident.  The Japs are very conservative people but they could have also been disappointed that this will result in a system that will not support their commercial interests in F1.  $450M is a lot of money for racing but this is nothing for a conglomorate like Honda especially since it is pretty effective in global media exposure and reach. 

[nukee]

Yeah, i guess that makes perfect sense, but it really is a combination of a lot of factors. I think the bottom line is that they weren't winning. You're right, if they were winning, spending 450m dollars isn't nothing, but if you're losing, it feels like you're spending 450billion dollars.