Honda bosses up the heat on BAR

Honda's racing chiefs have been urged to turn around the fortunes of its Formula 1 project by the end of next year, amid speculation that the Japanese car manufacturer could turn its back on the category at the end of 2004

Sep 25, 2003, 10:06 AM

This is according to a story in this week's AUTOSPORT magazine. It is believed that the company's bosses are beginning to get disenchanted with the lack of success Honda has enjoyed in F1 since returning in 2000 with BAR.

It is understood that no firm decision has been taken about Honda's future in F1 beyond the end of next year, when its contract with BAR runs out. It could be tempted to quit if there are no signs of progress.

"We have a contract with BAR until the end of 2004 and will discuss our options to extend it at the appropriate time," said Shoichi Tanaka, president of Honda's F1 department. "We want our first win as soon as possible."

On the subject of rumoured pressure from Honda for BAR to employ Takuma Sato, Tanaka said: "Sato's presence will not alter our view on the F1 project. But we have made our opinions on driver selection very clear to BAR."