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BAR FANS: Your thoughts on Honda buying BAR
By Phil Huff November 5 2005
We asked what you thought about Honda's purchase of BAR a month or so ago, and there's certainly some interesting opinions! Here we present your thoughts and comments in another of our irregular BAR FANS features.
This is just a selection of your comments, which broadly reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far. If you want to add your comments, just email BARFANS@BAR-Talk.com now.

All the previous BAR FANS sections can be found right here.


It is good that Honda are going to get serious about racing on this level, though maybe A1 seems to have a better understanding about 'sport' as opposed to 'business'. If I wanted to watch 'business', I would sit outside car dealerships and count comparative sales... and qualifying actually would mean something.

The only reason for hiring Rubens was probably to try to figure out what Schumacher & Ferrari are doing, not for his driving skill. Doubt if he knows anything though, hasn't done him any good.

After seeing Jensen's handling of contracts, and now the issue of BMW not necessarily honouring JV's contract because of change of team ownership, will the new Honda team be bound by any of their contracts???

Having 'B' teams may become the norm, indeed why not C, D, E, & F teams? If the manufacturers go ahead with the alternate series, Bernie may need some extra Ferraris and Red Bulls.

Luke Warmwater, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.


The more money the better! but only if its being used wisely on engine gearbox and aero-chassis grip. HONDA will succeed no doubt but BAR still remain there just the name changes I guess, I hope we can keep improving and making ground to the rest of the field and set a class of our own in a dominance like no other in history. Yes HONDA will fix mistakes BAR made in the past and I hope the learnt a lot from this season.

No need to look for new drivers stick with this 1 until new talents come. JB staying is a definite plus as he knows the team and the 00'cars very well. Not keeping TS is good now because we have JB confirmed. And TS he has under performed every year of his F1 career!!!

Lael, USA.


Rubens moving to BAR is good for both him and the team. It's time he really got a fair shot at wins and the championship. Honda should be able to produce a competitive car, they seem to certainly have the passion for doing so. I hope they don't mess around too much with "creative interpretations" of the rules anymore because that will only hurt their cause.

As for the second driver, keeping Button was a mistake. He is arrogant without having accomplished much and I don't see how any team will ever trust his commitment to them again. Honda really should've tried harder to get Nick Heidfeld or even Christian Albers. If they couldn't do that, then Davidson certainly deserves at least a year to show what he can do in a race seat.

Jamie Makin, Philadelphia, USA.


I am so happy because Button remain at BAR team. Honda is a great partner for BAR. It can achieve our goal to become number one. Next year, we will be stronger than last year. Rubens can help BAR.

Edwin, Indonesia.


Honda buying the team is great, they have the best engines though they need to invest in a better chassis.

Scott G, United Kingdom.


The best thing that happened BAR in 2005 is Honda takeover. Now when Honda have 2 good drivers for 2006 RB & JB, maybe it's time for Honda to dominate Formula One again!

Hadzic, Sweden.


Obviously the vast amount of money that Honda bring can only be a good thing and obviously their experience in winning in F1 is also invaluable however I am a bit concerned of big changes that could and probably will be made to the team in terms of personal. Last year we had DR "resign" and we have just about gotten back onto our feet and are challenging the front runners again, the last thing we need now is for Honda to start giving the boot to good personal within the team.

Hopefully Rubens can benefit the team next season obviously his experience in being in the most successful team of recent years will be very valuable to us. I think the biggest gain in terms of drivers is the fact that we have managed to keep Button who has been a revelation for BAR these last two seasons.

The only thing unfortunate in the whole driver line up is the fact that we could possibly lose Ant who I think has done wonders for the team as a test driver.

I think the future is looking increasingly bright for BAR Honda.

Matt Jones, United Kingdom.


Next year Honda win world championship with Rubens! Rubens knowledge very important for Honda! B team is good idea! Good luck for Honda! I am happy to Jenson stay with BAR! Anthony and Sato in "Team X".

David Tasi, Hungary.


I think it's fantastic to see Honda's determination to accept F1 challenge. To win in f1 these days an All Rounder package is needed, Honda can provide the best engine but chassis/aero is where BAR has lacked a lot, they were always one step behind. Honda's multi million $ investment will only pay off if they pay more attention to their chassis/aero design.

Saad Masood, Pakistan.


Personally I don't understand why Honda didn't buy BAR sooner. Next year, with Honda's financial backing, the team will have a level playing field to be able to compete with the big guns such as Ferrari, Renault, McLaren & Toyota. I believe that with Button and Barrichello teamed up, Honda has a very good chance of finishing in the top three by the end of next season, and perhaps even taking out the championship.

Barrichello will be a great asset to the team, and Button of course is a fantastic driver, he just did not have a great car this year. It seems like the future is looking good for the new Honda F1 team. Good luck to them!

Sundeep Singh, Sydney, Australia.


I am a fan of Honda engineering. The only reason I was a BAR-Honda supporter was due to Honda's involvement. Evidently, I am therefore very glad to see a 100% Honda team in F1.

I hope Honda's commitment to F1 will be as long-term as Ferrari's. I'd hate to see them win one or two championships and fade away.

The driver line up for next year seems strong. I am still not convinced of Jenson Button's worth and am very sceptical about the large sum of money spent on him. Also, I think he is too "soft": look how hard it was for Kimi/Alonso to pass Michael at Suzuka, whereas JB made way as if he was being lapped.

Rubens is the driver from whom I expect the most for the team.

Alexandros Karypidis, Greece.


I think it's great that Button is staying and Sato is leaving, he's done nothing but let the team down all season. I've been a Honda fan since 2003 when Jenson first started on BAR and I believe that he is a huge asset to Honda.

Nicole, Australia.


Honda spending millions on the team is a step in the right direction. It shows the dedication Honda has to F1. I also believe that there will be something to show for all of the new changes. If Honda doesn't show a sign of a championship next season, I doubt they'll ever be able to do any better.

In my opinion dropping Takuma is a good move. He was always unpredictable with his driving style, and predictable in the sense that if something went wrong, it was no big surprise. An experienced veteran like Rubens in Honda is an excellent combination. He and Jenson will make a fantastic duo. Jenson is a formidable competitor.

Mario, New Jersey, USA.


I don't think dropping Sato was a good move for two reasons. Despite the British press dumping on Sato the statistics reveal the actual truth. Sato had fewer crashes with other cars in his whole career in F1 that M.S. had in the 2005 season! Sobering statistic isn't it.

I believe hanging on to Button is a mistake, due to his disruptive attitude. It is clear he is not a team player for disobeying the team in terms of strategy during the race. Finally, Barrichello should be an asset to Honda. Remember, officially it was Button that replaced Sato, not Barrichello. Button better shake his ideas of team work up a bit or else we will have a miserable 2006. I wonder where he will want to go next year. I hope he goes to another team very soon.

Anton Clarke, Texas, USA (British Ex Pat).


I've been waiting for this move ever since Honda returned to F1 racing. Honda is one of the most prominent players in F1 history and its about time that they acquired 100% of "BAR Honda".

Rubens was probably the best driver for the job, his experience from Ferrari will be crucial to Honda success, and hopefully he will raise Button's results by passing on some experience as well as giving him the competition he lacked last year.

Good luck to the all-Honda team next year!!

Theo, Thessaloniki, Greece.




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