Honda have announced that it plans to sell its Formula One team afterthe Japanese car manufacturer’s decision to withdraw from the sport inlight of difficult conditions in the global auto market.
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Thecurrent Honda team was formed in 2000 after the company took over theformer BAR squad, transforming it into a works team in 2006. Honda nowhope to have new owners in place ahead of the 2009 season.
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Teamprincipal Ross Brawn and team CEO Nick Fry are expected to be closelyinvolved in the evaluation of potential buyers, with speculation alsoarising that Brawn could call on contacts at his former team, Ferrari,to help secure a new engine supply deal.
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Honda’s originalFormula One involvement began in the 1960s, American Richie Gintherscoring their maiden win at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. Absent fromcompetition in the ‘70s, they went on to several title successes asengine suppliers in the ‘80s and ‘90s with the likes of Williams andMcLaren.
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Their 2006 works return started well, with JensonButton winning the Hungarian Grand Prix en route to fourth in theconstructors’ championship. However, the team lost their way thefollowing year, scoring just six points from 17 races.
1 D" j; K5 O$ B4 i2 G" n- M' k. |TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。
6 T3 z# j: P8 |' i" a- P/ Q! ]Brawn’ssubsequent arrival was heralded as the start of a new era, but came toolate to have significant impact on Honda’s 2008 campaign, which sawthem finish ninth in the final standings.
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& _2 i' L/ _. l" U/ t" ~9 lTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Neither of Honda’srace drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, has yet beenconfirmed for 2009 and the UK-based team recently evaluated GP2 starBruno Senna.
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( @( Z- e4 M" e; [- [+ \6 M, S! v5.39.217.77Full statement from Honda:TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。5 e) K+ q4 \4 v1 K2 {0 I
“We, HondaMotor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw fromall Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season ofparticipation.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb. }$ ] p% z3 `+ U8 d3 I* L& _: f
! U" k: X9 w s+ i公仔箱論壇“This difficult decision has been made in lightof the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the globalauto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the UnitedStates, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of theworld economies.
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“Honda must protect its core businessactivities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in theeconomies around the globe continue to mount. A recovery is expected totake some time.
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5 i- G! L. w; Q7 oTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。“Under these circumstances, Honda has takenswift and flexible measures to counter this sudden and expansiveweakening of the marketplace in all business areas. However, inrecognition of the need to optimize the allocation of managementresources, including investment regarding the future, we have decidedto withdraw from Formula One participation.5.39.217.77- z, C- ~; t0 J& B: O. e; k: \
1 J+ J8 j) P j0 I0 j5.39.217.77“We will enter intoconsultation with the associates of Honda Racing F1 Team and its enginesupplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the twocompanies. This will include offering the team for sale.
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“In itsthird era of Formula One activities, Honda has been participating inFormula One races from the 2000 season, initially with BAR, by adoptinga new format of jointly developing racing machines. Subsequently, in amove to meet the changing environment surrounding Formula One, weswitched to running a 100 percent Honda-owned team commencing with the2006 season.
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“Surmounting many challenges, the Honda Teamachieved a Grand Prix victory in 2006, enabling Honda to receiveoverwhelming support from Honda fans around the world that were lookingforward to greater success. It, therefore, has been an extremelydifficult decision for us to come to this conclusion without havingbeen able to fully meet the expectations of our fans.1 E5 [# ^& R N1 }- k$ `
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“By makingthe best of what we have learned during these times of economicturmoil, coupled with the spirit of challenge gained through activeparticipation in racing, we intend to continue with our commitment inmeeting new challenges.
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! H& u1 A; C' b' dtvb now,tvbnow,bttvb“Finally, we would like to take thisopportunity to sincerely thank our fans and all those who havesupported Honda’s Formula One efforts, including everyone in the worldof Formula One.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb4 F* F; d2 v6 `. Q
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"Thank you very much."5.39.217.77& D8 Q5 W1 _9 m& g- I- _
7 ]8 f% f$ R- X/ I/ `6 YTakeo Fukui
& ?3 w$ t$ A, F) K* JTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。President and CEO
3 a4 R1 p- E9 U9 cTVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。Honda Motor Co., Ltd. |
發表於 2008-12-6 08:11 AM
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