At the end of 2008 Honda Racing F1 pulled the plug on the Formula 1 campaign, leaving Briton Jenson Button without a drive. The pull out included withdrawal of any Honda parts UK supply to other teams. A last minute management buyout saved the team but massive spending cuts has to take place.
For the 2010 season the team was re-branded Brawn F1 and the team won the 2009 Constructors Championship while Jenson Button won the Drivers Championship. Looking at 2009 you could say Honda was crazy for pulling out right at the last minute, because the car that won the championship was Hondas investment with a Mercedes engine.
Honda also pulled the plug on Moto GP; many thought this marked the Japanese manufacturers end in modern day motorsport. But, Honda has still been participating at the British Touring Car Championships; Honda confirmed its commitment for 2011 as far back as October.
The Honda Racing Team will compete in next years BTCC as a full works team; the 2011 team will continue the successful partnership with the West Midlands-based Team Dynamics, with whom Honda won the 2010 Manufacturers title.
David Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda (UK) said, "After another positive year of racing, we are delighted to commit to the BTCC for 2011. Almost 90 per cent of the Honda cars we sell in this country are built in the UK, so we believe its important to support a national championship. We cant wait to get back on track next year with another competitive Civic race car."
2010 was a very successful year for Honda in the British Touring Car Championships, the team raced to 22 podiums and 5 race victories each for drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden.
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