Dave Richards is out!

  • Thread starter Carl.
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Carl.

Carl.

2,767
Richards ousted in Honda deal

Honda being more involved is not a surprise, but for Richards I really don't get it. I don't particularly like him, but given this year's results, I don't see why they would let him go. They were the most serious challengers to Ferrari this year, and yet everybody wants to/ is leaving? :confused:
 
I don't get it either. Other than DR has his hands in so many other things, maybe Honda figured he isn't as focused on F1 as they would like?

Or this is the first step in BAR becoming "Honda F1".
 
Some years back Honda considered making an F1 car I think. It would seem they do want to have their own team, as Toyota do. And if all forms of Tobacco sponsorship is stopped (when I don't know) then what do BAR do?
However, I don't really get why Richards has been 'let go'. And who is going to replace him?
 
slackbladder
Some years back Honda considered making an F1 car I think.
Click to expand...

They more than considered it. They actually did it from 1964-68, running their own chassis and engine. When they returned in the early 80s (1983?) they were just an engine and technical supplier.

Honda's involvement in F1 spans 40 years, making them one of the older makes on the current f1 grid.

I personally would like to see them back in F1 as Honda F1 (no BAR)...chassis and engine.
 
A couple of years ago, 1999 to be exact, Honda did consider a return to F1 as a constructor. Dallara even built a test car, which was designed by Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite, a famous designer. They were even at the test stage, but a fatal heart-attack for Postlethwaite ended the Honda return as a constructor and they concentrated on the engne with BAR.
 
As a side note, Honda had an "after-hours" project back in 1993.

m17-a01.jpg


Later on, in 1998-99, there was the third attempt to go full-tilt into F1:

honda-ra99.jpg


http://8w.forix.com/honda101.html
Very little is known about the testing done by Nakajima for Honda's R&D group during 1993 and 1994. The first public airing came at Suzuka in January 1994. For this occasion a third car had been built, the RC101B, and this was proudly displayed by Nakajima. This car was a developed version of the two previous cars. Both RC100 and RC101 are reported to have been destroyed during crash-tests. The RC101B might still be in existence and stored somewhere in the R&D department.

After six consecutive CART driving titles during 1996-2001 Honda has announced that they will cancel their CART programme after the 2002 season, meaning that they are again in need of a fresh challenge. And they have already embarked on that - since the 2000 season they are back in Formula One. Nobuhiko Kawamoto originally planned the return to be a 100% Honda affair, with both the chassis and the engine à la the 'after hours' project. But Kawamoto was ousted from the Honda precidency in 1998 and the new CEO Hiroyuki Yoshino - who actually was the first non-racer to run the company - changed this, instead making an agreement with British American Tobacco to supply the new Honda V10 engine to British American Racing in 2000.
Click to expand...
 
m17-a01.jpg

Dude, I want one.

I have no idea why Richards was ousted, the team seemed to be doing very well with him. They say they are expecting to be in very close competition with Ferrari. If they make a step in development like last year that wouldn't suprise me at all.
 
Prodrive were involved with the running of BAR, but now with Honda pretty much running the ship, Prodrive and Dave Richards are out.
 
Prodrive and Richards were brought in to do work with the management structure of BAR. I guess now that their job is done and that Honda has about a large share of BAR, there's no need for Prodrive/Richards.

"David Richards commented: "We were brought in by British American Tobacco to turn the team around and secure its long-term future and that is what we have done. I am immensely proud of what Prodrive has achieved in a shorter time than anticipated. I believe that BAR Honda is now in a very healthy position to continue its pursuit of the World Championship. Obviously I and all at Prodrive will take a strong interest in the fortunes of the team in the future."

....

"The succession planning put in place by Prodrive will see Nick Fry appointed as Chief Executive of BAR, while Geoffrey Willis continues as the team's Technical Director. A phased management transition is underway and should be completed by the end of the year. David will be providing support on various transitional issues at BAR until the end of February. Honda and Prodrive are also exploring opportunities for working together in the future. "

(taken from f1racing.net)
 
"I've done a great job, I've set the team up for next year and it's in the best condition it's ever been in," he added. "I've got many other challenges at Prodrive to keep me occupied and perhaps the odd spare weekend to stay at home and see my family."
 
liquidyellow
Ciggy ad ban ends worldwide 2006.
2 teams looking for big sponsers soon then McLaren and Ferrari.
Click to expand...

what about BAR and lucky strike?
 
m17-a01.jpg

Blake
Dude, I want one.
Click to expand...
Isn't it tasty?

F1 cars, before 1994 or so, just had this air of simplicity and shape that hasn't been duplicated.
 
I know they look so, I dunno, sleek. They're like Champ Cars are now, just Champ Cars are not as smooth.
 
But the step from where they are, to where Ferrari is, is a bigger one. With enough cash it's easy (comparitively) to get from the midfield to the top couple of teams, but making the next step is alot harder. And with the new rules it gives a chance for the field to level out a bit more.

I'm almost convinced Ferrari will be in their 2003 position this year. Or at least not as far ahead as this year.

Blake
 

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