It's all about branding and perception isn't it.
exactly right, Lotus ring a bell?
I dunno... I mean, they were well into rallying and were racing in Group C by the end of the 80's, and Group C cars were basically F1 cars with a full body kit...
ok i should have gone a few years further back then

point i was trying to make is even though Honda has been involved in F1 for many years, there was a point when the Japanese auto industry was viewed as cheap and nasty just as the Korean auto industry did when it first came onto the world market. Though that is slowly changing which is why I think Bernie went to Korea because it is developing its auto industry and motorsport plays a big role in the marketing of the auto industry. Even though Hyundai or Kia dont have a big motorsport history as yet, Hounddub is correct in that to make an F1 outfit you can just buy your way into it.