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Motor sport has always been a 'nice to have' rather than a 'must have' for most vehicle manufacturers so it comes as no surprise in these dire economic times to hear news this week that BMW is following Honda in pulling out of Formula 1.
In both instances, the decision came on the back of a dismal season.
Honda, now Brawn, must be ruing the day it ever pulled the plug. Its environmental livery was always somewhat tenuous given the excesses of Formula 1 and its low mpg returns. I always felt Honda had taken its eye off the ball somewhat but when it hired Ross Brawn you knew it was finally taking things very seriously indeed. To pull out, when the technical guru had dropped all the jigsaw pieces into position was nigh on foolhardy and Brawn and Mercedes are now reaping the rewards. Indeed, the drivers are happier being propelled by Mercedes power than Honda power as they can feel more oomph in their backsides.
BMW had a tremendous season last year with Robert Kubica scoring its maiden Formula 1 victory in Canada, scene of his horror crash the previous year. That the Polish driver walked away from his 170 mph accident was testament to the safety measures that have been put in place in recent decades and to the integrity of the BMW Sauber chassis.
If BMW had concentrated on 2008, it could perhaps have won the Driver's World Championship but having realised its objective of winning it preferred to concentrate on the next season with the goal of definitely being a top Championship contender and winner.
How the mighty have fallen.
BMW has stated it wishes to concentrate on its priority goals of sustainability and the environment, both commendable objectives.
However, I do feel like with Honda it's unfinished business and, having marvelled at its technology over the Silverstone weekend, I am sad to see the Munich marque withdraw.
Will Toyota follow suit despite strong denials?
I referred to Kubica's lucky escape and I guess in many ways Felipe Massa can consider himself lucky to have avoided death after being struck by an errant two-kilogram spring off fellow Brazilian Barrichello's car.
Unlucky however to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Given the sad demise of Henry Surtees in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch, when he was struck by an errant wheel, freak accidents have been a major talking point in recent weeks. More work for the safety commission is called for.
So not a great week or two for motor sport overall.
They say it improves the breed but only that stalwart of Formula 1, Ferrari appears to walk the talk. Nice to also hear Ferrari say that Massa is not just part of the team but part of the family.
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