Honda return to F1… as track sponsor

I like track sponsors that have a connection to the circuit. Whether that's major Japanese companies for Suzuka or odd and highly specific luxury brands for Monaco. Reinforces a sense of place. Good.

Sponsoring a single grand prix would be an order of magnitude below the costs of developing and supplying engines to a front running F1 team, I guess, plus nowhere near as much risk to reputation. 

I agree their relationship with F1 is rather confusing, though. 

Is it really that surprising, seeing as they own the Suzuka circuit?

Is it really that surprising, seeing as they own the Suzuka circuit?

Where they will hold the Formula One HONDA Japanese Grand Prix.  

As opposed to those seasons supporting Red Bull-Honda.  Although that was better than the Red Bull-Renault years

Sponsoring a single grand prix would be an order of magnitude below the costs of developing and supplying engines to a front running F1 team, I guess, plus nowhere near as much risk to reputation.

I agree their relationship with F1 is rather confusing, though.

Rumours are they’ll return for the next set of regs already - which makes sacrificing the glory/press of their current Redbull Powertrains setup even stranger.

What rumors? Sounds improbable.

What rumors? Sounds improbable.

All of Honda's motorsport strategies are improbable.  It is amazing they have had so much success in the sport.

Honda - kinda, sorta, but not completely withdrawing from F1, and then coming back after a couple of years, since 1992.

I like track sponsors that have a connection to the circuit. Whether that's major Japanese companies for Suzuka or odd and highly specific luxury brands for Monaco. Reinforces a sense of place. Good.

That company that starts with a Z whose name I suddenly can't remember!

e. It's NOT 'Zapruder', brain - stop suggesting that.

That company that starts with a Z whose name I suddenly can't remember!

 

e. It's NOT 'Zapruder', brain - stop suggesting that.

Zepter.

https://www.zepter.com/

Edited by FLB, 18 May 2022 - 10:50.

And that great newspaper, The European

Thanks, FLB - that was the mental equivalent of taking off tight shoes.

And that great newspaper, The European

Kremlyovska Vodka! When we did the 1996 Monaco GP re-run during lockdown I was obsessed with what the strange unfamiliar Russian hoardings around the Swimming Pool complex were advertising.

I will never understand Honda... Never.

They are Japanese. Will any Westerner who hasn't spent time immersing themselves in Japanese culture ever understand them? Nope. 

That doesn't make them wrong. Just baffling to most of us. 

Kremlyovska Vodka! When we did the 1996 Monaco GP re-run during lockdown I was obsessed with what the strange unfamiliar Russian hoardings around the Swimming Pool complex were advertising.

They had a wonderful ad campaign in the UK fronted by Charles Grey...."Kremlyovskaya Vodka - it's good character building stuff!"

Honda - kinda, sorta, but not completely withdrawing from F1, and then coming back after a couple of years, since 1992.

The only time they didn't do this was the 1970s

The business is selling vehicles and the electric car platform shift is a huge investment and manpower focus. This has been explained over and over again. Putting their name on a race is pennies. Currently they still get the insider credit for the engines without having to pay for it like last year. The reporters still call it a Honda engine or an engine supplied by Honda, so it nearly ends up being free advertising.

That company that starts with a Z whose name I suddenly can't remember!

e. It's NOT 'Zapruder', brain - stop suggesting that.