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So Honda and Toyota returning? Gone just like that, returning just like that. And they left and return to a sport which requires roughly the same budget level and offers roughly the same level of competition... BMW next?
a) Great or us fans!
b) I hate CEOs, and bloody short term profit/image based strategic decisions. Any CEO taking a big strategic decision should be forced to stay put for 10 years, so that it is he or she who faces the consequences. And to admit he/she was wrong if the decision is reverted later.
c) F1 cannot depend on manufacturers only.
Seems quite speculative. If they were to make a return, why not do so very publicly 1-2 years in advance? Draw attention, sponsors, etc. Why be an all-of-the-sudden surprise?
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F1 may not be able to rely on manufactures as the only teams, but lets be honest... its better than having new teams sprout up every year, accomplish nothing and then disappear. I'd take Toyota/Honda before I would ever want to see another HRT/Spyker/etc... at least there is a chance of SOME stability
Perhaps there is an element of shortsightedness to this - they see how rival Infiniti is thriving, and they want some action for themselves - forgetting how badly their last forays went.
Maybe they also see the coming F1 float as a possible means to remove the political chaos there is now/before, which would make the sport far more attractive.
Let's throw an idea out there. Imagine if Honda, Toyota and say.... Porsche, got together and bought a controlling share in F1. I'd put a fiver on right now to say they've discussed just that - well, maybe not them exactly, but a few of them at least. Buy the sport and control it. Ferrari is screwed.
raymondu999 wrote:Perhaps there is an element of shortsightedness to this - they see how rival Infiniti is thriving, and they want some action for themselves - forgetting how badly their last forays went.
Infinit isn't exactly thriving, but rather, they want to more exposure outside of the US. Lexus already has tons of exposure and is a well established in their target market across the world.
In a way, it makes sense that Lexus would be the brand for something as "elite" as F1. For all of the pomp and circumstance to Le Mans, that race has always been about maximizing ROAD RELEVANT technology. So a brand like Toyota would be on board, where its efficiency can be seen connected to production cars.
Lexus, though, is a premium brand and so would be better connected to the glitz and glamour of F1.
Otherwise, it is far more likely they will go the Infiniti route by way of having a major stake in an established team (Lexus Force India?) rather than being some sort of manufacturer of engines (Honda Mclaren?).
Considering what they did with the LFA, I think they should get back into F1. I believe that with the LFA they have shown that they are capable of doing well.
The liberator who destroyed my property has realigned my perception.
It´s pretty remarkable that with 3 pole positions they never managed to make it stick for a win.
Also curious to see how the TF110 would have done. Interesting looking front wing,
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