Honda apologises to Button

Eurosport - Fri, 05 Dec 16:18:00 2008

Honda's chief executive has apologised to British driver Jenson Button after Japan's number two carmaker pulled the plug on its Formula One team.

2008 Belgian GP Honda Button - 0

Honda withdrew from Formula One with immediate effect, no longer willing to foot the estimated annual bill of $500 million amid the global economic crisis.

Button, a winner for Honda in Hungary in 2006, is in danger of being left without a drive next season, though some teams have yet to confirm their line-ups.

Brazilian Bruno Senna, the 25-year-old nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton, had also been tipped to take the place of compatriot Rubens Barrichello at Honda in 2009.

"It's a real shame and I feel deeply sorry for Jenson Button," the CEO of Honda Motor Co Takeo Fukui said. "We had no choice in the current financial conditions."

Managing director Hiroshi Oshima said he had informed team boss Ross Brawn and Honda Racing CEO Nick Fry of the decision and that both men had taken the news on the chin.

"I didn't speak to Jenson so I don't know his reaction," Oshima said. "Ross and Nick were of course extremely disappointed but were very professional.

"They understood the economic climate and Honda's reasons for closing down the operation."

Fukui said Honda, who like its rivals has suffered a sharp decline in sales worldwide, was not thinking about a quick return to Formula One, either as a team or engine supplier.

The British-based team had a hugely disappointing 2008 season, although Fukui denied that poor results had contributed to the decision to pull out of the glamour sport.

Button scored just three points while Barrichello took 11 as Honda finished ninth overall in the constructors' championship.

"Results on the track this year have had absolutely nothing to do with our withdrawal," said Fukui. "It was a purely commercial decision. We must give priority to our core business."

Reuters

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  1. Ignore marnio.
    He's not from Peru.He's a­ wind-up.

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Sat 6 Dec 11:04AM

  2. now dont get me wrong here, I don't agree with­ everything that Marnio, Marion or any of the­ Perusians(?) but they do make me laugh, as I said­ before whoever is behind these charachters is a comedy­ genius. The last couple of comments on here with ref­ to Marnio etc are from S7555 and Supergee, now come on,­ do you think he is really in Peru! Have a word with­ yourselves here and just take things a little bit­ easier! But he is right about the UK motor industry!

    From Jason T, on Sat 6 Dec 11:03AM

  3. Marnio. What does Peru have to offer to F1? Keep your­ ill informed and jealous comments to yourself.

    From Truebrit, on Sat 6 Dec 10:35AM

  4. hugh_jorghen, with due respect, how many Formula One­ races have you competed in, let alone won? If Jenson­ Button were to get the chance in a front running car­ (Ferclaren?) he would lead the field on merit.

    From , on Sat 6 Dec 9:18AM

  5. i'm not sure if this marnio from peru dude is­ taking the piss or if he's deadly serious. either­ way, some very offending messages

    From kabsl, on Sat 6 Dec 6:58AM

  6. hahaha keep em coming Marnio, man you crack me up ­ :)

    See ya Jensen, hungary 06 was the fluke of the­ century :)
    Cherish that distant memory in your old age­ :)

    From Hugh, on Sat 6 Dec 3:22AM

  7. marino you tit i always read your comments cause they­ offend me as to how little you know bout f1, peru where­ in the world is that? name me a decent driver from your­ country in the 08 seasen ????????? you hate hamilton­ cause he has so much more than you hes britisg and he­ WON!!! hahahaha and honda make very good cars it is a­ shame wots happened and i hope they get sorted so we­ can have another very entertaining seasen of f1 next­ year.

    From s77555, on Sat 6 Dec 2:17AM

  8. Ever since Honda bought out BAR - they have not­ produced a decent car! Don't forget that the Car­ Jenson won at Hungary in was designed when BAR still­ ran the team! Could Dave Richards Pro - Drive come in­ for the team and develop their Proposed 2010 Cosworth­ enging and use the full proposed powertrain unit for­ the 2009 season???

    Either way, I don't think it­ will be the last time Jenson is on the grid, He is a­ smooth driver and his style would suit a number of cars­ on the grid, I'm more sorry for Ross Brawn to be­ honest. I hope McClaren or Williams snap him up.

    From david.malcolmuprg, on Sat 6 Dec 12:20AM

  9. ah? what are u talking about stupid peruvian? oh wait,­ what is it? peru? where is it? :D btw..ah sorry ur name­ is marnio. i though it was @#$%.

    From yoshi, on Sat 6 Dec 12:18AM

  10. not all that bad jenson least you wont worry were your­ next meals coming from eh. chin up.

    From jase, on Sat 6 Dec 12:08AM

  11. I have known Jenson since he was a youngster and know­ his father John from our karting days, Jenson and his­ management have made some bad decisions when he entered­ F1 with Williams and since his first season has never­ really shown his true potential. Maybe a season out and­ a rethink/reflection on his future will do him good,­ hes never seemed hungry enough for a title win and­ appears to like the goodlife. Goodluck for the future­ Jenson

    From snakehuts, on Fri 5 Dec 10:44PM

  12. Maybe at Williams he could form a good duo with­ Rosberg. Or if it doesn't work than Torro Rosso­ have an empty seat.

    From martin.mitevski26, on Fri 5 Dec 10:03PM

  13. Amongst much wailing and gnashing of teeth, the F1­ purists are being consigned to the parts bin of life.­ Grow up and accept the inevitable, the top teams­ spending gazillions to win is going to stop. More­ 'kit cars' and stock engines filling the grids­ will be the norm. If you don't like the spectacle­ any longer, no-one is forcing you to watch it. For my­ money, the racing will be a lot better than it has been­ for the last 25 years or so.

    From , on Fri 5 Dec 9:24PM

  14. Good Luck Jens - so many disappointments in your F1­ career - let's pray for a miracle !

    From m.e.jenner, on Fri 5 Dec 9:00PM

  15. i am v upset for JENs and hope he gets a decent drive­ as he is the next British World Champ.I am afaid i­ don't count the mclaren lucky rookie,gifted a­ title.
    What about IRL all Honda power is that next?

    From martinw2381, on Fri 5 Dec 8:36PM

  16. Mr Bolam you seem a little uneasy; its been revealed­ that you are a bit closer to peru than once thought.

    From wizzo, on Fri 5 Dec 7:12PM

  17. Paddington: Go back to your favella in the slums of­ Lima.

    From Biggles, on Fri 5 Dec 5:59PM

  18. jenson shud retire anyway he is a bad driver

    From kev, on Fri 5 Dec 5:42PM

  19. didnt think any little man left like blue thet suport­ button...best thing to happen he should retire anyway

    From , on Fri 5 Dec 5:12PM

  20. blue mumma passed away long time ago @#$% wipe

    From , on Fri 5 Dec 5:10PM
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