Full Throttle

Well, so much for all the stories of yesterday claiming Honda would make a decision sometime in March whether they would stay or leave Formula One.

Like much of Japanese society where there’s “no wait,” Honda are operating under the same guidelines, Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui confirmed on Friday morning their out now.

“Honda must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount,” he said. “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.”

Apparently the team is funded until March but only so a buyer can be found. As a race team it’s Ka-Put, history, Sayanara for the third time in it’s F1 history.

It’s fair to say it’s not the best year for Japanese F1 teams considering Super Aguri’s act of Seppuku earlier this year.

Note to STR, Rubens Barrichello has designs on one of your seats. Better put out a numbering system, Jenson Button may be in line shortly.

As a side note, and by pure coincidence, the first F1 Honda prototype was the subject my recent trivia quiz. It includes a pretty wild image of the Honda RA 270.

The full Honda statement can be read hear and below is a chronological history of the marquees time in F1.

*Honda made their Formula One debut at the 1964 German Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring, with rookie driver Ronnie Bucknum starting at the back of the grid. The American ran as high as ninth before retiring with suspension damage.

*The company’s first grand prix win came a year later, with American Richie Ginther triumphant at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City. It was Honda’s 11th start.

*Honda were fourth overall in 1967, with Briton John Surtees winning in Italy, but pulled out as a full constructor team at the end of the 1968 season.

*Honda engines powered Williams to the constructors’ world championship in 1986. They won again in 1987, when Brazilian Nelson Piquet also took the drivers’ title.

*In 1987 Honda powered the top four finishers at the British Grand Prix.

*The company’s partnership with McLaren in 1988 produced the most dominant team display the sport has ever seen with McLaren’s Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost winning 15 of the 16 races between them. They also notched up 10 one-two finishes and 199 points, three times more than second-placed Ferrari.

*Brazilian Senna, who died at Imola at the wheel of a Williams in 1994, won all three of his world titles with Honda engines.

*Honda again withdrew as an engine supplier at the end of 1992, having won eight constructors’ and drivers’ titles with McLaren, but returned to the fray with BAR in 1999.

*Honda returned to Formula One as a constructor in 2006 after buying the BAR team. Briton Jenson Button won in Hungary that year.

*Dec. 5, 2008. Honda announce they are pulling out again. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)