Will Honda ever return to F1?

**Valve Bounce** · 7th December 2008, 02:35

Originally Posted by tsarcasm

F1 is rapidly becoming a Spec. Series, there will be no F1 to come back to....

Well, if that's what it will take to be rid of both Bernie and Max, then I'm all for it.

**wedge** · 7th December 2008, 14:08

Honda will be back

Manufacturers historically come and ago when it pleases them - apart from Ferrari because they do what they know best which is sportcars and racing; the big manufacturers have a far more complex business to run.

Certainly there'll be a different way of operations. Engine supply at the very least.

**RWD** · 7th December 2008, 16:32

I think they will be back, but not as a team. They should have kept there name in F1 and got Mugen back on the scene and give Mugen the 2008 engines to develop instead of cutting all ties with F1.

**jens** · 7th December 2008, 17:49

Ever? Nah, too far-reaching. Have no idea, what will be going on 100 years later.

The original post asked about the 10 years. Well, again too difficult to predict. F1 is changing so quickly that it's difficult to guess, what is going on in one year's time, let alone ten. Maybe we will have another series instead of F1 - something like GP1.

: As has been mentioned above, considering Honda's tendency to make a comeback sooner or later after departure, the possibility is there. Whether it will be as an engine manufacturer or an independent team, is another matter. Likewise the timing.

**PolePosition_1** · 8th December 2008, 13:43

Without a doubt, I think they will be back. Pending on direction of Formula 1, can't say whether it'll be in partnership or full works team. Considering manufacturer pressence, I'd say it'd only be worth going back as a full works. But if independent teams take over as majority teams, it may be worth while them going in as an engine partner.

**Mark** · 9th December 2008, 14:13

They'll be back. I think they need to have a good think about what they are doing. After all do you think they would have pulled out of F1 if they had been challenging for the championship and/or getting race wins? I seriously doubt it.

Downturn or no downturn manufacturers can only throw money at a failing team for so long.

**cjent** · 11th December 2008, 02:57

They won't return if they cannot have their own engine,

**RWD** · 11th December 2008, 13:16

Originally Posted by cjent

They won't return if they cannot have their own engine,

and who is suggesting they cant have there own engine?

**Mark** · 11th December 2008, 13:32

Originally Posted by RWD

and who is suggesting they cant have there own engine?

They will. In fact they may return quite soon if the costs are much lower in say 2011-12.

**trumperZ06** · 11th December 2008, 14:43

Originally Posted by Mark

They will. In fact they may return quite soon if the costs are much lower in say 2011-12.

I'm not so sure about the manufacturers supporting Formula One, long term.

Their accountants are looking for: Return on Investment !!!

The major justification for supporting F-1 from their veiwpoint is: Advertising !!!

Bernie has $$$ PRICED $$$ F-1 out of the North American Market, first the United States Grand Prix, and now Canada.

This being the MAJOR market for Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda, and even Renault with thier partial ownership of Nissan, the manufacturers may re-access their Co$t/Benefit ratio and decide to move on.

Honda may only be the first mfg'r to leave... given the current economic conditions.