Honda poised to buy a round at the BAR

PSk · Nov 17, 2004

www.f1-live.com said:

Sometime in the next 12 months...
The highflying BAR Formula One team looks set to have their engine supplier Honda either become its outright owner or buy a large stake in them according to the BBC on Wednesday.

While Honda has supplied engines to BAR for four years a deal to buy them is said to have been agreed, but the BBC's sources differ on whether Honda will buy BAR outright or become a part owner with a 40 percent shareholding. However BAR team principal David Richards - who guided the team to their most successful season last term where they finished runners-up in the constructors championship behind Ferrari despite not winning a race - is expected to leave and be succeeded by managing director Nick Fry.

The team would retain its two drivers, England's Jenson Button and Japan's Takuma Sato. Honda would not comment on the report but if it came about it would be the first time since 1968 that they have owned a Formula One team owner. However they enjoyed a purple patch as an engine supplier first with Williams in the 1980's and then McLaren in the early 1990's before leaving the sport until returning to supply BAR in 2000.

Fry could not confirm the report. "There is nothing we can say at this stage," he said.

However it is known that Richards told fellow team principals last week he he was unable to agree any proposals for rule changes because the team was being sold and he had to report back to Honda. "Honda will buy the team eventually - some time in the next 12 months," a source close to BAR told the BBC. Another source close to the England-based team said Honda would not acquire an outright controlling interest.

"My understanding is that Honda is going to buy a percentage of BAR, but not a controlling interest. There is a deal done, but there are some loose ends to tie up."

While the team's co-founder Adrian Reynard, who retains a minority shareholding, told the BBC that him and the rest of the board had not been informed of such a move.

"I hold two seats on the board, but this has not been a board subject, and the co-owners ought to know something about it. It wasn't even discussed at the last board meeting and I don't know if it's going to be discussed at the next one, which is on Monday."

However he said he would be delighted if it came true. "I can tell you it has always been my dream that Honda acquires either part or all of the BAR F1 team, because I knew [owner and tobacco giant] BAT's tenure was always going to be limited.

"I believed Honda was a perfect fit - it's a great company - and would dearly love it to be the caretaker of the team, so I am totally supportive of this happening."
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Thus while Ford leaves we have another manufacturer possibly joining the game proper. I personally think Ford will be very sorry in 10 years time that it sold out to F1. They should have sold the team maybe, but held on to Cosworth to keep that F1 connection.

Ofcourse this is probably just an interesting rumour ...

Pete

senna21 · Nov 18, 2004

No, it makes sense for Honda to buy out BAR. The tobacco money's going to be going away and more than likely the REPSOL relationship Honda has in it's motor cycle teams will expand to the F1 program to take it's place. It's a perfect fit. The team would continue on as it currently is and the only thing that would really change is the controlling shares and the livery. I don't think that if Honda "officially" took over the team direction or management style would change.

As for Ford being sorry their not in the game I don't think so. The Ford GT has done more to raise brand awareness (as the Viper did for Dodge) than the F1 programs have in the last ten years. They won a world championship for gods sake with MS in the 90s and it do them one bit of good. Why spend the money if you're not getting the return? I'll be writing more on that topic under a different thread later this week and also start another on how I think F1 should be "saved." Then all the flaming can start.

Tifoso1 · Nov 18, 2004

senna21 said:

No, it makes sense for Honda to buy out BAR. The tobacco money's going to be going away and more than likely the REPSOL relationship Honda has in it's motor cycle teams will expand to the F1 program to take it's place. It's a perfect fit. The team would continue on as it currently is and the only thing that would really change is the controlling shares and the livery. I don't think that if Honda "officially" took over the team direction or management style would change.

As for Ford being sorry their not in the game I don't think so. The Ford GT has done more to raise brand awareness (as the Viper did for Dodge) than the F1 programs have in the last ten years. They won a world championship for gods sake with MS in the 90s and it do them one bit of good. Why spend the money if you're not getting the return? I'll be writing more on that topic under a different thread later this week and also start another on how I think F1 should be "saved." Then all the flaming can start.
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I agree that it makes sense for Honda to buy out BAR, especially with the possibility of tabacco ads being banned left and right from race to race. Tabacoo company will still remain sponsors but it is unlikely that they will be the main sponsor, except for maybe the Ferrari-Malboro team. Anyway, Honda is already making the engine and the gearbox/trans as is, BAR is showing promises with their chassis and if they can keep the team together and even improve on some of their personells, they would be as much as a force as anyone else, and that is with a team of their own. However, Honda should realize that being an engine supplier is very different compare to as a team owner. The commitment required is on a completely different level and the money that will need to be spend is exponentially higher as well. It would be terrible to see them follow the path of Ford in a few years.

As for Ford's involvement in F1, I agree with PSK that they will most likely to be sorry that they left. I think that part of the reason that the MS/Benneton/Ford win didn't really have any affect for Ford was because they were only an engine supplier and also, they didn't win the constructor's championship. For the average viewers, who the marketing director of any company would direct their attention to, they are not going to remember what engine was on the car. Even devoted followers can faulter on what engine was used in what car, we may remember if the championship was won by McLaren, William or Benneton etc. but that would be the extend of it. Anyway, I think the down fall with Ford is bad luck and bad decisions by non-race team CEOs, and it is real shame.

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