Ross Brawn believes major manufacturers will return to Formula One in the future despite the recent exodus.
The past year has seen the withdrawal of Honda, BMW and Toyota due to worsening economic conditions in their core markets, while Renault's future in F1 still remains uncertain. But Brawn does not see the loss of big names as a problem for the sport, believing involvement for big manufacturers is cyclical and based on the economic climate.
"They've [the manufacturers] obviously decided that this is how they need to respond to difficulties they are facing, but they have got a lot of history in Formula One, particularly Honda and Bridgestone, so let's hope," Brawn told Reuters.
"It will take a while, it's going to take a few years but Honda's was their second or third involvement in Formula One.
"Manufacturers look at the value to them of Formula One, there's no sentiment I'm afraid. So when it's viable they come in, and when it's not they don't."
Brawn was keen to point out that outfits such as his own would fill the empty grid spaces in the mean time.
"Luckily there is a lot of interest from privateers and they will sustain Formula One for a good few years.
"I've been in Formula One for over 30 years and I've seen it go from total privateers to a huge number of manufacturers back to privateers and it just goes in cycles depending on the climate.
"There has always been a core group. Ferrari have always been involved and Mercedes have a long history of being involved and riding the occasional storm.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
