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BAR FANS: Honda buy BAR
By Phil Huff (01/12/2004) December 1 2004
We asked you what you thought about Honda buying a stake in BAR, along with David Richards' departure. Here's just a small selection of what you had to say.
If you want to add your comments, just email BARFANS@BAR-Talk.com now.


I think this is an all-around good thing for the BAR-Honda team. With the upcoming tobacco ban it's inevitable that the team would have to be sold. While I do have reservations about manufacturer teams and their commitment to the sport, Honda does seem to be approaching this the right way. I live in the states where Honda has been very determined in recent years to prove themselves in all forms of motorsport and I trust they will have the same level of commitment towards BAR. I also think very highly of Prodrive, being fans of both their Subaru team in WRC and Ferrari team in ALMS and have no doubts about their ability along with Nick Fry's to get the job done.

Will they beat Ferrari? Who knows? Until Schumacher retires I don't think the other teams are going to stand much chance, but clearly they are putting themselves in a good position to fight for the championship once Schumacher's reign comes to an end.

Jamie Makin, Philadelphia.


Was last season a natural progression by the relentless guys from Japan? Or was it the arrival of David Richards. Only those more in the know than me can answer that but my opinion is a bit of both although I doubt DR would have had the results he did had Honda not been the supplier and he had an inferior engine. On the other hand I'm not sure that another principle would still have had the same success, maybe even more due to the progression made to date!

Therein lies a fundamental principle of Motor sport, everything revolves around the machine. Of course you need a very skilful driver but does anyone believe Michael Schumacher would be world champion in a Minardi? Usually the cream rises to the top in both man and machine Schumacher and Ferrari are both at the top of the tree. It would be interesting though had they both had some genuine competition these last few years.

So my answers are:

1. If any manufacturer is entitled to show off their name in motor sport its Honda.
2. As with a good driver David Richards got results, he didn't crash did he?
3. Takuma Sato is an exciting driver. If he can keep it going why not keep him long term?
4. I know nothing about Nick Fry's ability to lead an F1 team.

I truly hope BAR Honda is on level terms with the best next year. It will be nice to see some real racing!

Martin H Mullins, England.


Is this it now? will BAR be the #1 contender to beat the Ferrari team? I think so. With Honda they must now have more money then sense, like Ferrari do. I must say I can't wait for the 2005 season to start.

Darren Akers, Nottingham.


Best thing for BAR and F1.

Nick and Charlotte Haley, UK.


The good: I think it's a good thing that Honda have taken the plunge. It may not mean that much at face value for BAR, but consider this: Now, it's Honda's reputation on the line. They could always in the past write off lack of success to the chassis not being up to snuff, or the drivers aren't good enough, or whatever. Now, there are no excuses for Honda. They have a vested and controlling interest in BAR, so for them to pass the buck for lack of success now is moot at best. It's put up or shut up time. That said, it must say something about BAR that Honda have the faith to take the plunge and get into it knee deep.

The Bad: Dave Richards turned that team around. I don't care what anyone thinks, his streamlining of the team management and personnel was the key. He didn't care if he stepped on toes, he did what he had to do to get the right people in the right place to do the right job...something that Pollock was miserably poor at. The funny part is that Richards did it with fewer people for a lot less money. I think Richards will be missed. With a major manufacturer comes too many cooks usually. Look at what's happened at McLaren Mercedes and Williams BMW.

The Ugly: Sato will keep his seat because of Honda, and no other reason. There are plenty of more skilled, faster and overall better drivers that BAR could put into that car. The only reason Sato ever got a shot at Jordan was Honda. The only reason he ever got a shot at BAR was Honda. The only reason he is still there is Honda. It's pathetic. I understand Honda wants a Japanese driver, but get real. He's not it. He never will be. People point to 2 or 3 good drives and say, "He'll develop! He's not so bad." Tell you what...give me or anyone else on earth 4 months training, then give us 16 races in a car that's pretty good, and you'll say the same thing. A good driver isn't good once in a while. He's good all the time. Sato is NOT it. Honda will cripple BAR by robbing them of a 2nd driver that can challenge for points and get them every single race.

Tom Owens, USA.


Dear Dave Richards, Please don't let the door hit you on the way out! Geoff Willis is the real hero at BAR.

Cam Beach, Canada.


Having Honda commit seriously to the sport is a good thing, especially after Fords half-baked effort. Having the large auto makers involved does add credibility to F1, but perhaps they should be required to supply at least one private team with equal engines or chassis.

As to David Richards performance, his sole activity was taking credit for the teams improvement, while in fact they probably would have done even better without him. The credit should have gone to the chassis designer and engine supplier, and perhaps a little credit to Jensen also.

Takuma will likely be a favourite of Honda, not a bad thing because he can be counted on to give us some wild TV replays.

BAR will be able to continue the march to the championship provided Nick Fry doesn't do anything stupid and keeps his mouth shut. If the team could perform as well as it did in 2004 with the leadership it had, it will do much better next year.

Luke Warmwater, Mexico.


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