News & Press

Darmstadt, 24 March 2009: According to an international assessment carried out by D&B Deutschland, the business information service, Formula 1 teams will be making a solid financial start to the 2009 season. Indeed, the financial crisis, the credit crunch and desertion by a number of sponsors have left some scars on the racing stables, but this is not preventing them from being well equipped for the battle over the world championship crown. Once again, Toyota takes first place, with 99 points, on the D&B Formula 1 index, as it had done at the end of the 2008 season. BMW Sauber comes just behind (with 98 points). Behind these come Toro Rosso and Red Bull - neck and neck, each with 90 points - followed by Renault (88).

Last season’s top teams, McLaren and Ferrari, continue to score only average points on the D&B Formula 1 index. This rating is due mainly to the fact that despite good financial figures, these two teams pay their invoices late. Ferrari pays 11 days later than the due date, and at McLaren, the delay is as much as 26 days. This means that Ferrari gains only 85 points, and McLaren 78.

Force India in a class of its own

It is only the millions injected by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya that is keeping Force India alive. Force India gets just one point on the F1 index. According to an assessment of payment experiences carried out under the D&B DunTrade® program, suppliers had to wait 72 days after the contractually agreed due date before receiving payment from Force India. According to D&B criteria, companies with an index value of 1 close to insolvency. Mallya is using his own fortune to give the company the necessary financial impulse. However those doing business with the Indian racing team will have to hold their breath a while before the money starts to flow.

Brawn GP takes up a difficult legacy

Honda’s withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of the 2008 season was just the end of a procession of many difficulties. Besides a fairly uncompetitive car, according to D&B analyses in October 2008 Honda was the only racing team rated with a high probability of failure. As the successor to the Honda Works team, Brawn GP is currently in a better financial position than Honda was previously. But only success on the track will be the real decider as to whether the strategy employed by Formula 1’s superbrain Ross Brawn will bear fruit. The decision will also be made as to whether Honda finally gives up its existing share in the racing stable.

Source: D&B Germany: as at 16th March 2009
The D&B F1 index is a statistically determined value used to assess the likelihood of a company failing. To carry out its calculations D&B uses demographic and financial data as well as real payment experiences. On a scale of 1 - 100 an index value of 1 represents an extremely high risk of failure, while a value of 100 represents minimum risk.
 

Christian Noack
Manager Public Relations
D&B Deutschland GmbH
T: +49 6151 1375 736
M: +49 175 7237786
noack@dnbgermany.de
www.dnbgermany.de