Honda Rescued!

[Insider 0]

Regarding the rumour that Merc are building four extra engines and my remark that they may be for a third McBenz and not for Brackley? Bernie, who has supposedly been advising Honda F1 on the sale of the team, brought up the subject of three car teams again today:

"That is what basically will happen," the sport's commercial rights-holder told Deutsche Presse-Agentur, whilst at the same time denying that he is contractually-obliged to grand prix organisers and broadcasters to have at least 20 cars in the field.

"If the manufacturers supply engines to other people, they can run three cars themselves.

"It is better to have 20 cars on the grid

[Jez 0]

Three car teams eh? At first I was like nooo! Then I was like innnnteresting, now I'm like why not? It would give the test drivers an opportunity to show their skill I suppose..

[Insider 0]

Three car teams eh? At first I was like nooo! Then I was like innnnteresting, now I'm like why not? It would give the test drivers an opportunity to show their skill I suppose..

Great pic, Jez

[Jez 0]

Great pic, Jez

Thanks Sean, quite a beast isn't she? I'd give my left foot to take that around Suzuka.

Edit- On second thoughts, I might need my left foot to drive it properly.

[Insider 0]

Thanks Sean, quite a beast isn't she? I'd give my left foot to take that around Suzuka.

Edit- On second thoughts, I might need my left foot to drive it properly.

No worries. The old guys only used one foot!

[Insider 0]

In The Guardian, this morning from an article that says Honda F1 Ltd were sounding out their eligibility for a government bailout. Frank! - you better get on this:

The team said it had had meetings with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, whose chief minister Lord Peter Mandelson unveiled the funding plan on Tuesday, the Guardian newspaper said.

"We have had meetings with BERR over the future of the team on several occasions over the past month," the team was quoted as saying.

A BERR spokeswoman told the paper there was "no reason why Honda Racing couldn't apply" for funds from the package worth up to 2.3 billion pounds (2.5 billion euros, 3.2 billion dollars). Honda Racing CEO Nick Fry has been looking for a new owner since the team's Japanese parent company said in December that it was withdrawing from Formula One because of the global financial crisis.

So, this is where the BERR stories came from and is clearly the main cause of the delay in announcing their plans - as the iniative was only unveiled this week. They weren't investigating Fry - he was tapping them up! He gets the odd thing right, I suppose. A BERR spokesman also said:

"There is no reason why Honda Racing couldn't apply,” a spokesperson for BERR told the Guardian. “We expect any company in the automotive industry or in its supply chain with a turnover of

[Insider 0]

It would appear I am keeping this thread going virtually single-handed. However, I'm not complaining and have to admit it's all got a little boring, to be honest. Maybe Dribbler's info that an announcement is due tomorrow may bring an end to this saga. The revelation today that Fry has approached the government for assistance seems to be a desperate act from a desperate man. What happened to the 12 solid bids that were being scrutinised? Obviously, Fry is seeking help with running costs, in particular, salaries. Well, he can forget it, for my money. There'll be hell to pay - the voting public will be up in arms - quite rightly too. My own opinion is that Fry, Brawn and 'friends', [probably including JB and possibly, Ruebens], have cobbled together the means to run a slimmed-down team in 2009 in the hope that they can attract the sponsors they need and that's what we will see. In the meantime, Brackley are trying to save as many people's jobs as they can. Honda have the cash to offer everyone a reasonable redundancy package but people want jobs, not money. Why doesn't Fry let Honda shut it down, pay out redundancy, grab the infrastructure for pennies and then re-employ the workforce and have them invest their Honda handout back in to the new company in exchange for shares - Jenson too. That's what I would do. That way Honda invest the

[Medilloni 6]

It would appear I am keeping this thread going virtually single-handed. However, I'm not complaining and have to admit it's all got a little boring, to be honest. Maybe Dribbler's info that an announcement is due tomorrow may bring an end to this saga. The revelation today that Fry has approached the government for assistance seems to be a desperate act from a desperate man. What happened to the 12 solid bids that were being scrutinised? Obviously, Fry is seeking help with running costs, in particular, salaries. Well, he can forget it, for my money. There'll be hell to pay - the voting public will be up in arms - quite rightly too. My own opinion is that Fry, Brawn and 'friends', [probably including JB and possibly, Ruebens], have cobbled together the means to run a slimmed-down team in 2009 in the hope that they can attract the sponsors they need and that's what we will see. In the meantime, Brackley are trying to save as many people's jobs as they can. Honda have the cash to offer everyone a reasonable redundancy package but people want jobs, not money. Why doesn't Fry let Honda shut it down, pay out redundancy, grab the infrastructure for pennies and then re-employ the workforce and have them invest their Honda handout back in to the new company in exchange for shares - Jenson too. That's what I would do. That way Honda invest the

[Insider 0]

Granprix.com have a slightly better slant on the UK Gov-money-thing...... (http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21146.html) They make some good sense out it, talking about it supplementing rather than being relied on.

I understand the principle but I doubt it will wash. Honda are probably after the same deal for their UK factory operation! Nevertheless, I doubt much will stop Fry and Co continuing to try and limp onto the Melbourne grid. You have to give them credit for that. Let's see what Dribbler's forecast of an announcement tomorrow brings.

[Max Mosley 2]

I'd imagine that in order to get that funding they would have to have a viable long term plan. Atm they don't seem to have anything like one, but perhaps more is going on behind the scenes than an outsider like me knows about.

[Ash1 0]

I'd imagine that in order to get that funding they would have to have a viable long term plan. Atm they don't seem to have anything like one, but perhaps more is going on behind the scenes than an outsider like me knows about.

I think Honda will make it to the first race only and then wait a whole year until she finds a buyer. RB will retire, JB will be invited to the commentary box. Next year, the big teams will field 3 cars and after a year doing commentary, JB will be invited to drive a macca and he will still screw the prick of prix

[Oli 1]

Wishful thinking I fear.

[HandyNZL 1]

If anyone was serious about buying Honda it would have been signed sealed and delivered by now. All this conjecture is just the death rolls of a poorly run, poorly performing, poorly planned team.

The other teams can see its over for them which is why no engine manufacturer has put their metal where their mouths are and made engines for them.

The only announcement to come is that 700 people are out of a job.

End of.

[The Rumble Strip 0]

So, is tomorrow the day or not.

[Jez 0]

All hopes hang on your words Dribs!

[Insider 0]

I'd imagine that in order to get that funding they would have to have a viable long term plan. Atm they don't seem to have anything like one, but perhaps more is going on behind the scenes than an outsider like me knows about.

I think there's more going on than people on the inside know about!

[monza gorilla 1]

It's Friday. I demand answers. Steve?

[Medilloni 6]

If anyone was serious about buying Honda it would have been signed sealed and delivered by now. ..................

You know, I think the reverse is true Handy. When I bid on something I'll always hold out until I know how the land lies, and hopefully to make the buyer desperate to sell - so it does make sense that any serious players won't show their hand 'till the death in order to get the best deal.

Having said that, I could be wrong-ish.

Anyway. Team Brackley will be at the last practice session before Melbourne, I paid Steve to be wrong

[Insider 0]

Well. Here we are. The Big Friday. Throughout this whole debacle, I don't think there has been a single consideration for the the fans at all. For sure, the people who are walking out of Brackley as I write are the team's most important consideration but communication with the press and the outside world in general has been abysmal. The latest news on the team's website concerns a racing boot competition last November! The last bit of news on Jenson Button's site related to the Race Of Champions last December. Excellent PR. I rang Brackley today, saying I was from a major daily newspaper and was told there was no one on site who could answer my questions. I was told to email an outside agency to have my credentials checked and if successful, I would be put on a mailing list. Wow! I doubled checked to make sure I hadn't called Guantanamo bay by mistake! Basically, it's just not good enough. Honda are still calling the shots and as such, should behave like the responsible multinational giant they are. I cannot think of another company of comparative size, anywhere on earth who would have drawn such an impermeable blanket of silence and secrecy over this matter and, for so long. It is certainly grossly unfair to Jenson Button's considerable army of supporters worldwide and those true blue Honda fans who supported the team through the atrocious embarrassment of the past three seasons. Shame on you, Honda.

[dribbler 6]

Spoke to my source this afternoon who was amazed they hadn't had an announcement (because they had been assured internally it was on the cards). Even my insistence to give me some news due to me looking like an arse around here made no difference. I give up.

[Fed up 0]

Production has been halted in the Honda Factory in Swindon for 4 months - It really does seem as though demand for Honda cars has fallen through the floor. I can't see the team being able to justify F1 while it's entire UK staff are twiddling their thumbs at home

[Insider 0]

Production has been halted in the Honda Factory in Swindon for 4 months - It really does seem as though demand for Honda cars has fallen through the floor. I can't see the team being able to justify F1 while it's entire UK staff are twiddling their thumbs at home

They aren't trying to justify F1 - they quit!

[The Rumble Strip 0]

All quiet on the western front then.

[HandyNZL 1]

All quiet on the western front then.

When things die, they generally make no noise.

Unlike the upsurge in talk over 3-car teams by Ecclestone.

Time to start joining the dots.... .... ..... ..... ..... ..... ....

[Insider 0]

It would seem to me, that as far as Honda is concerned, Fry and Co have met sufficient criteria for Tokyo to keep the team funded until at least, March 1. Otherwise, I am certain Honda would have pulled the plug by now, especially with the recent closure of the Swindon plant. I don't believe there is a third party involved - it's an internal buy-out we're at looking at here. Honda had originally stated, unless they were satisfied that a credible and viable, long-term plan for the team was evolving by Jan 31, they would close Brackley permanently. Clearly, there is something positive going on.

That we have heard nothing with regard to a final closure tells me there are probably one or more sponsors in place, Honda have pledged some cash [as they always said they would], and Fry, Brawn, Button and 'friends' have thrown money on the table too. Honda have emphatically denied they asked BERR for 'hand-out' cash, which tells me, they are not as desperate as some commentators would have us believe. However, if I am right, there are so many components in the mix here, that I will not be surprised if there is no news at all until the week of the race.

As I said, in a previous post, I think Honda's handling of the media and fans has been shocking throughout this whole saga, despite the level of difficulty involved in selling an F1 team in these times. Unfortunately, I don't believe it will change this side of Melbourne but I do believe they will be on the grid unless one or more pieces of the puzzle fail to fit.

EDIT: I am told that Honda F1 have re-confirmed their entry for the 2009 season to the FIA. I have a contact who works for the company that oversees travel arrangements for teams. Pick the bones out of that.