A dozen options under consideration for the purchase of Honda

Nick Fry, an integral part of Honda Racing, is now in discussions with high-ranking officials of the Japanese manufacturer to choose one of the 12 buyout proposals for the Formula 1 team. According to the latest information, the discussions are progressing hour by hour.

A few days ago, there were only a handful of candidates who had expressed interest in buying the team, but since then, Honda Racing’s general manager, Nick Fry, has revealed that a larger number of parties have come forward.

Speaking about the progress of the talks at the Autosport International Show, Fry stated: « It’s very positive what’s happening at the moment. We had, as expected, great interest at the start, probably more than 30 groups. »

« We have reduced this number to come up with a dozen options and we are currently proposing these to Honda, so that the manufacturer can make the best choice for the future. »

Fry added that the progress in the negotiations to date has increased his optimism about an agreement, admitting in passing that he did not share this confidence when Honda announced its withdrawal in December.

« Bernie Ecclestone had stated that he was certain we would be on the grid in Melbourne, and I must say that I didn’t quite share that point of view.

« We are in a very particular situation at the moment. This is not a situation like some small teams have experienced in the past. They really doubted their entry on the grid because they didn’t have much technology. »

« The only thing we have benefited from, at a level that is difficult to exaggerate, is the amount of money, effort, and skills that Honda has put into this project, » Fry continued.

« We have a team that has benefited from 75 million pounds (nearly 85 million euros) corresponding to its equity value investment over the last three years. »

« The economic environment is difficult, there is no doubt about it. We must look at the long term for our staff and not just for the 2009 season. »