Sign of the Times: Honda quits F1

Smart, financial move by Honda. They were completely uncompetitive in F1 and remaining in the series was just a waste of money. Toyota should be next to go.

I would like to think that Honda will come back to F1 when things improve again. However, it is difficult to compete against $300M budgets from teams like Ferrari when times are this tough. Unless they have a trick up their sleeve for 2009, I'll bet that you're absolutely correct about Toyota following.

There is a related article about Audi pulling out of the LeMans Series as well.

Smart move. Why would you spend half a billion a year on F1 if you don't make sport cars? Same with Toyota. Save the money and spend it on developing real cars.

What difference would it make? They still make boring cars.

F1 Driver, not only boring as you suggest but they originally had an NSX with an inherently-out-of balance 90-degree V6. Body shop professionals have told me about Honda body metal is so thin that a body man is afraid to use a grinder on it for fear of penetrating the body metal. I personally do not like the fact that certain Honda products offer a proper DOHC on the in-line 4 version but take a shortcut on the same model by only offering SHOC on the V6 version.

So what? V10 configuration is not an inherently balanced design like a straight-6 or V12 either. Does that prevent BMW using it for their uber-sedan M5?

What? Like more boring FWD cars? No thanks!

IF things don't change, it will be a very boring world because the entire racing world will be impacted.

Sad day for F1 fans. Honda may be was uncompetitive in the last 2 years but now they were looking really good. Especially with Ross brawn, huge changes in aerodynamics and tyre rules and introduction of new technology like KERS. It was also widely beleieved that honda was ahead of everyone with the development of 2009 car.

They will also be missed as they had great history. Especially in the late 80s to 90s with Mclaren and Senna.

FIA today announced Cosworth as the sole engine supplier from 2009 onwards. I think this also played a part in the quitting of Honda from F1.

Remind u all, Honda, Toyota and Ferrari had warned about such a move of sole engine supplier. So after this big surprise, i won't be much surprised if Toyota and Ferrari also join Honda and quit F1.

Really sad day. Also sad for Jenson, Rubens and the Bruno Senna. They most probably won't have a car in 2009.

JUGNU

That is a sad story. Honda F1 was the 3rd largest budget in F1.

I bet my money that their "financial" reason to quit is not true. The one engine manufacturing, the change of regulations each year and the bad management of F1 are the real reasons.

You can't spend lots of money on R&D for engines, transmitions, and many more just to throw it to the garbage since now only one engine manufacture will be available.

Honda is mainly an engine company!!! When no engine restrictions were taken, Honda won 5 straight championships. Now that you restrict it to some clown engine supplier, i don't see any point in viewing the F1.

As an engineer, I can't see what new things the F1 will bring to the auto industry. In fact, it is technologically behind the private car market