L'écurie Honda ne participera pas au championnat du monde de Formule 1 en 2009. La raison principale invoquée est la crise financière mondiale. Seules 18 voitures seront donc au départ du grand prix d'Australie 2009... si les choses restent en l'état puisque le secteur automobile traverse une période de turbulences. L'équipe Honda existe depuis 2006 suite au rachat de BAR, créée en 1999. Honda, alors motoriste, était d'ailleurs le principal partenaire de l'écurie anglo-américaine. Mais les débuts de l'histoire entre Honda et la F1 remonte aux années 60 et fut émaillée de nombreux retraits et retour. L'entreprise espère trouver un acquéreur pour l'écurie avant le début de la saison 2009 afin que ses employés et pilotes ne se retrouvent pas sans travail. Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello et Bruno Senna étaient en effet sur les rangs pour pilote la monoplace. Il est intéressant de noter que Petrobras, nouveau sponsor de l'écurie nippone, souhaitait un pilote brésilien et on peut se demander si le pétrolier va rester impliqué en F1. Communiqué de Honda F1 Racing (en anglais) �We, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation. �This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies. �Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount. A recovery is expected to take some time. �Under these circumstances, Honda has taken swift and flexible measures to counter this sudden and expansive weakening of the marketplace in all business areas. However, in recognition of the need to optimize the allocation of management resources, including investment regarding the future, we have decided to withdraw from Formula One participation. �We will enter into consultation with the associates of Honda Racing F1 Team and its engine supplier Honda Racing Development regarding the future of the two companies. This will include offering the team for sale. �In its third era of Formula One activities, Honda has been participating in Formula One races from the 2000 season, initially with BAR, by adopting a new format of jointly developing racing machines. Subsequently, in a move to meet the changing environment surrounding Formula One, we switched to running a 100 percent Honda-owned team commencing with the 2006 season. �Surmounting many challenges, the Honda Team achieved a Grand Prix victory in 2006, enabling Honda to receive overwhelming support from Honda fans around the world that were looking forward to greater success. It, therefore, has been an extremely difficult decision for us to come to this conclusion without having been able to fully meet the expectations of our fans. �By making the best of what we have learned during these times of economic turmoil, coupled with the spirit of challenge gained through active participation in racing, we intend to continue with our commitment in meeting new challenges. �Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our fans and all those who have supported Honda�s Formula One efforts, including everyone in the world of Formula One.�
