1. Wide of Honda President Takanobu Ito walking towards podium
2. Mid of reporters
3. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takanobu Ito, Honda President (on the benefits of Honda returning to Formula 1)
"For Honda to remain competitive, we must continue further development of our own advanced technologies. In order for this, young engineers need to test their technologies in the global arena and improve. I believe the F1 gives us the optimal opportunity to accomplish this."
4. Wide of Ito shaking hands with Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren CEO
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren CEO (on renewing McLaren's partnership with Honda)
"Like McLaren, Honda is a company with motor-racing in its blood, and it's the mark of ambition we both share, that we want to recreate our past glories and take MacLaren Honda, back to the top."
5. Wide of Whitmarsh
6. Wide pan from photographers to Ito and Whitmarsh photo op
7. Close pan from Whitmarsh to Ito, zoom out to wide of photo op
Honda announces return to Formula 1 as McLaren engine supplier
Japanese automaker Honda is returning to Formula One in 2015 as an engine supplier to McLaren, recreating a partnership that was dominant in the 1980s and 1990s.
Honda president Takanobu Ito made the announcement at a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday, reversing their 2008 decision to pull out of the sport due to the effects of the global financial crisis.
Ito says with F1 changing to six-cylinder turbo engines next year, the decision to return was easy because Honda will be able transfer the technology to its commercial vehicles.
"For Honda to remain competitive, we must continue further development of our own advanced technologies," Ito said. "In order for this, young engineers need to test their technologies in the global arena and improve. I believe the F1 gives us the optimal opportunity to accomplish this."
The tie-up renews an association that became one of the most successful and powerful in F1 history during the 1980s and '90s with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at the wheel.
Between 1988 and '92 McLaren and Honda won eight world championships and 44 grands prix, took 53 pole positions and set 30 fastest laps - all in just 80 grands prix.
McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh welcomed the renewal of its ties with Honda, "Like McLaren, Honda is a company with motor-racing in its blood, and it's the mark of ambition we both share, that we want to recreate our past glories and take MacLaren Honda, back to the top."
Honda was an entrant, constructor and engine supplier between 1964 and 2008 but the expense of F1 forced it out of the sport along with rival Japanese manufacturer Toyota, which pulled out in 2009.
