Rumormill: Peugeot/Citroen to buy Honda F1?
Back when Alain Prost ran an F1 team, after jettisoning engines supplied by Mugen-Honda, it was Peugeot that left Jordan to sign up with Prost. Things didn't go well, and Peugeot jumped ship three years later. But it's possible that Peugeot feels it has some unfinished business in F1. Rumor has it that among the folks snooping around Honda's F1 operations is PSA, the parent company of Peugeot/Citroen. Supposedly not as hurt by the downturn as its rivals, and with F1 cost cutting in extra strength mode, PSA thinks now is the time to buy Honda's operations, benefit from Honda's promised assistance, and go head-to-head with its French rival Renault. Were such a thing to pass, speculation is that Peugeot would put Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button in the cockpits.
[Source: F1-Live]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Johnson 11:05AM (12/16/2008)
With Loeb leaving WRC if they run the S2000-Spec cars, could we see a new F1 driver with a different style? He's already shown he's got the skills - and he doesn't have the same background as pretty much every other F1 driver. Could be great. I'd like to see a fresh team in F1.
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AZZO45b 11:27AM (12/16/2008)
Rumored drivers are Jensen Button & Sebastian Bourdais. Bourdais is probably out at Toro Rosso & since he has already been a Peugeot driver at LeMans...
Also Peugeot could stay in sports cars & Citroen could be the brand for F1.
AZZO45b 11:59AM (12/16/2008)
I wasn't going to pick on AB for their traditionally LATE motorsports news coverage... but its OLD enough to have an official DENIAL from the French.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-peugeot-denies-honda-buyout-reports/
(T) 11:12AM (12/16/2008)
Peugeot IN F1, i guess there goal would be just to keep the car running stick with the honda motor peugeot.
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Eric Liberatore 11:13AM (12/16/2008)
Haven't I been reading that the government has been asked to bail out French automakers?
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jb 11:23AM (12/16/2008)
No, the French automakers have not asked for a bailout. The French governemnt did pass an incentive plan to help with car sales, for ALL automakers, not just the French... That's how it's done out there.
Keith Collantine 11:32AM (12/16/2008)
Peugeot denied it this morning:
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/12/16/peugeot-denies-f1-rumours/
Shame, I hope Honda finds a buyer.
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Cameron 11:39AM (12/16/2008)
Richards / Prodrive are just playing hard to get.
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gary 2:05PM (12/16/2008)
Very doubtful unless it's at a 'cheaper than dirt price'.
Just ask ex-F1 Champion Alan Prost about financial support of another French F1 team..
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AZZO45b 2:49PM (12/16/2008)
Honda said it would sell it for a $1... not sure that would be to another automaker.
Also comparing the Peugeot Prost era to the potential "spec F1" proposed for 2010 is not valid. Prost couldn't raise enough sponsorship & Peugeot didn't build a competitive engine/ chassis.
Also pointless to argue since they don't seem to be the buyers of the Honda F1 team...