VW, Honda and Hyundai could enter F1 in 2013

Jean-Francois Caubet, CEO of Renault Sport F1, says more manufacturers could appear when turbo engines are reintroduced Chief Executive Officer of Renault Sport F1 has revealed that a further three car manufacturers could enter Formula One in 2013 when engine rules changes come into effect. Jean-Francois Caubet revealed that Volkswagen, Honda and Hyndai could start competing for motorsport’s biggest prize in the not so distant future. F1 ENGINES Caubet revealed that "Volkswagen, Honda, and Hyundai" would be interested in joining the sport once 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged engines replace the current 2.4 litre V8s. The move, initiated by President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration Bernie Ecclestone, is aimed at increasing fuel efficiency by up to 50 percent while keep total power output at around 750bhp. Increasingly it seems, several car manufacturers have expressed renewed interest in the sport after a new generation of fuel restricted 'green' engines will make their debut in 2013. Currently, Renault Sport F1 supplies engines to Renault, Team Lotus, and Red Bull - who won the inaugural race of the 2011 Formula One season at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, under the expert guidance of its RB7 car by reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel. Source; http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/tags/honda/vw-honda-and-hyundai-could-enter-f1-2013

Formula One: Honda eyeing return in 2013?

The hot rumor in the Formula One paddock this weekend at the Suzuka circuit in Japan says that Honda is evaluating a return to Grand Prix racing. The idea is that the Japanese manufacturer is interested in an F1 comeback as a result of the likely adoption of relatively small, turbocharged engines in 2013.

Honda quit Formula One at the end of the 2008 season, citing the sport's outrageous costs during the height of the global recession. It sold its U.K.-based team for a nominal sum to a management buyout led by Ross Brawn, who promptly masterminded a domination of the 2009 world championship.

The prospect of a fresh engine formula is attracting the attention of many automobile manufacturers, including Volkswagen Group's Audi and Porsche marques.

Source;
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20101008/F1/101009899

Honda not considering F1 return - new CEO

Even if the world economy rapidly recovers, Honda is not keen to return to formula one, the Japanese carmaker's new chief executive said on Monday.

Takanobu Ito has now succeeded former chief executive Takeo Fukui, who due to the global financial crisis decided to withdraw Honda from the sport and hand the Brackley team to its current owners headed by Ross Brawn.

"It was a real shame that we had to leave formula one," Ito is quoted as saying from Tokyo.
Financial considerations aside, he suggested F1 has become less attractive due to its regulatory restrictions.

"On the other hand, F1 is becoming less of a medium in which companies can test their various strengths and more of an event with mounting restrictions.

"There's little room for us to challenge new fields, so bearing in mind the current state of series, I don't think we have the desire to return, even if the economy improves," he added.

Meanwhile, given the withdrawal from the F1 calendar of Fuji Speedway, Ito said he did not know if Honda-owned Suzuka will take over as the new permanent host of the annual Japanese grand prix.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/109071320453/honda-not-considering-f1-return--new-ceo

Rescued Honda team to be called 'Brackley F1'

With a blank livery and Jenson Button at the wheel, the team currently known as Honda will return to action at a Silverstone shakedown of its 2009 car next Thursday, sources from inside the Brackley factory are reporting. With the Ross Brawn-led management buyout now approved - but not officially announced - by Honda Motor Co.'s Tokyo board, information is leaking from the outfit that had until recently looked likely to be wound up ahead of the 2009 season. Now, however, suggestions of at least one - and possibly two - full tests at Spanish circuits in March are gaining credence, and one source told us that these will be preceded by a run-out with Mercedes power at Silverstone late next week. With the Honda board also insisting upon a name change, the frontrunner at present is 'Brackley F1', but a final decision on this has not been taken.

Also likely - but not confirmed - is the identity of Button's team-mate. Bruno Senna has all winter been named as the frontrunner, but given the nature of the challenge faced for 2009, it is believed the veteran Rubens Barrichello is now favourite to retain his seat. Under Brawn's leadership, the funds for the team this year will come from increased and advanced FOM income, commercial sponsors, and Honda itself, who have concluded that it is cheaper to offload the squad as a going concern rather than fund the closure and compensate contracted staff, including the very highly paid Button. The Swiss newspaper Blick said of rookie hopeful Senna: "The young Brazilian will drive in the DTM championship (in 2009)."

Source;
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090227084040.shtml

Other News via Autoblog;
Some reports claim that the team will be called Brawn Sport, while others say it will be called Brackley F1 – Brackley being the site of the team's UK headquarters. Whatever it's called, the team has been funded by an advance on its Formula 1 television rights money, and Honda. The carmaker decided it would be better and cheaper to give the new team money than to close up shop and pay several hundred severance packages.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/report-honda-f1-team-to-be-taken-over-by-brawn-sport/