According to reports elsewhere, Honda Racing is considering a novel idea whereby a number of international charities would 'sponsor' the F1 team next year, following the withdrawal of Lucky Strike, the end of British American Tobacco's association with the Brackley-based outfit.

Putting aside the notion of charities sponsoring Formula One teams, the most interesting thing about this proposal is that it clearly suggests that Honda is struggling to find a strong title sponsor, despite the presence of Jenson Button.

In February this year, Honda announced that it had recruited 19 Entertainment, the company owned by Simon Fuller, the man behind the Spice Girls and Pop Idol, with the intention of giving the Japanese-owned team a "new image". Surprisingly, one of the first moves was to sign up 82-year-old Murray Walker as 'Team Ambassador'.

One of the better stories doing the rounds earlier this Summer, concerned the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, when Jenson Button failed to make it past the first phase of qualifying, causing (then) Engineering Director, Shuhei Nakamoto, to admit: "We cannot be satisfied with today's performance". While the team was attempting to come to terms with what was clearly an unmitigated disaster, and discover the reason why its star driver was starting his home race from the back of the grid, Murray Walker was lecturing the company's assembled guests on the skill and artistry of Michael Schumacher.

Although there have been a couple of announcements regarding sponsorship this year, Tripp Luggage comes to mind, there has been no clue as to a major partnership, and as one F1 insider told Pitpass; "Intercond, RayBan and Avaya aren't exactly going to pay many bills".

Despite the presence of 19 Entertainment, which, other than signing Murray Walker, only appears to have spiced up Honda by getting Jenson and Rubens to wear black whenever possible, the team appears to be sadly lacking in the sponsorship department. However, one has to wonder why, especially with its first win under its belt and the presence of Button, who is still highly marketable.

Looking ahead, it is also worth pondering the future of Nick Fry. Though he was to enjoy Hungarian, rather than Turkish, delight, the word on the street is that his days are numbered, and that once the season is at an end, and media attention is focussed away from F1, he will be silently despatched, much like David Richards.

There is understood to be a certain amount of ill feeling towards Fry at Brackley, with many feeling that Geoff Willis was the innocent scapegoat, the victim of other' failings. Furthermore, despite claims that it all ended amicably, it is understood that the end was quite messy, indeed according to some sources several former employees are currently waiting on their cases to go to industrial tribunal.

As for who would replace Fry, it is most likely that Otmar Szafnauer would step up to the plate, the American having been with BAR at the outset before moving to Honda Racing Development Ltd. He is known to be highly popular within the team, and it is said that his promotion would be an inspired move.

What with team structure and sponsorship, it looks as though Honda's winter will be anything but quiet.