Photo: Honda
Honda left the Formula One world in 2008, and until now they had not manifested any interest in returning to the sport. However, according to autocar.co.uk, that may be about to change, as Yoshiharu Yamamoto, Honda’s head of Research and Development says.
He stated that: “On a personal level I love racing, but there is a lot involved when you are in F1 – it is the very top of auto racing and that requires a large commitment. But it is true that we do look up at those races and hope that one day we can take part again [. . .] I do not personally think we can just go straight back immediately, but there is potential for the rules to change and attract us. I follow the rules, certainly, and if they present an opportunity then it would be nice to go back.”
Their interest in racing is clear, as they have recently entered themselves in the World Turin Car Championship (WTCC), where they will be running a car which uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. This is also a sign that times are changing, as Honda have famously rejected turbocharging, as other manufacturers have slowly adopted and adapted the technology.
Also, since F1 will be switching to turbocharged power from 2013, perhaps it will be a good way for them to somehow market their upcoming turbocharged cars as being related to their possible F1 effort. This is mere speculation, as Yoshiharu Yamamoto admitted in the end: “This is my personal view – not that of Honda – but I feel the first thing we must do is win in the WTCC, and then perhaps we can look further afield.”
Their interest in racing is clear, as they have recently entered themselves in the World Turin Car Championship (WTCC), where they will be running a car which uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. This is also a sign that times are changing, as Honda have famously rejected turbocharging, as other manufacturers have slowly adopted and adapted the technology.
Also, since F1 will be switching to turbocharged power from 2013, perhaps it will be a good way for them to somehow market their upcoming turbocharged cars as being related to their possible F1 effort. This is mere speculation, as Yoshiharu Yamamoto admitted in the end: “This is my personal view – not that of Honda – but I feel the first thing we must do is win in the WTCC, and then perhaps we can look further afield.”
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