Major Japanese automaker Honda Motor is to acquire a 45% stake in the BAR formula-one motor-sport team, the company said.
British American Tobacco will hold the remaining 55% stake in the team, which will continue to conduct operations from its British base in Brackley, Northamptonshire, Honda said in a statement issued late on Friday.
Honda did not disclose how much it will pay for the shareholding.
Honda returned to the formula-one World Championship in 2000, having entered into a contract with BAR to supply engines and jointly develop chassis technology.
It had pulled out of formula-one racing in 1992, faced with slumping sales and the need to put financial and human resources into clean and safe cars.
Honda last had its own formula-one racing team from 1964 and 1968, a painful induction that produced just two wins out of 35 races.
The BAR team had their most successful season last term, when they finished runners-up in the constructors championship behind Ferrari. — Sapa-AFP