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Post by blacktulip on Mar 4, 2009 7:53:27 GMT
From ITV F1.com
Rubens Barrichello will retain his seat at the soon-to-be-renamed Honda Racing team provided a sale is successfully completed, according to reports.
Autosport.com reported this morning (Tuesday) that Barrichello has been given the nod over the other main contender for the vacant drive, fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna.
Jenson Button is assured of a place in the new team, but until recently 25-year-old Senna was thought likely to partner him due to a combination of his name, long-term prospects and marketability to sponsors.
Instead it now seems that Barrichello, 36, will extended his record as Formula 1’s most experienced driver.
However, no confirmation of the driver line-up is expected until Honda has completed its sale of the team, which has been on the market since early December.
Japan’s biggest circulation newspaper, the Yomiuri, reported on Tuesday that an announcement of the team’s new ownership was imminent.
The newspaper quoted a source at the company’s Tokyo headquarters as saying: “We expect to be able to make an announcement from the company and the team in the near future.
“Honda has been making all possible efforts to avoid the worst option of having to disband the team.”
Honda’s board in Tokyo is understood to have approved a management buyout of the Brackley-based outfit headed by team principal Ross Brawn.
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Post by ukautospark on Mar 4, 2009 20:01:32 GMT
'Honda' car expected at F1 test 5 hours ago The team formerly known as Honda are scheduled to take part in all four days of the final Formula One group test at Barcelona next week. Team principal Ross Brawn's management-led buy-out of a marque that announced it was withdrawing from F1 in early December, is expected to be confirmed before the start of the test that begins on Monday. Prior to that, the team - likely to be known as Brawn Racing - will conduct a shakedown of a car that has been in production during the winter despite its uncertain future. That is understood to be at Silverstone on Friday, just a few miles from the team's current Brackley base, although officials have been tight-lipped regarding the car's maiden outing. However, a source has confirmed the team is due at the Circuit de Catalunya from Monday when for the first time in pre-season all 10 teams will be on view. Toro Rosso are to unveil their new challenger, the STR4, on Monday, with Sebastien Bourdais and rookie Sebastien Buemi at the wheel. As yet it is not known whether Rubens Barrichello or Jenson Button will initially be on track, with the former poised to again take up the race seat for what will be his 17th season in F1. Although yet to sign a contract, when it came down to the crunch, Barrichello's experience gave him the edge over fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna ahead of what is certain to be a tough, potentially troubled season for Brawn's team. www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jbakRtI0Ydus5G2HkBw1yNpT8RQwI have a track day at silverstone on Friday so this report might be a little wide of the mark but if they are there I shall get some photees. Mike |
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Post by blacktulip on Mar 4, 2009 20:07:25 GMT
If you can some pics would be great, I wonder what the team colours will be, or if they change them, but glad Honda or Brawn Racing will look like being on the grid for the seasons start
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Post by digital_F1 on Mar 5, 2009 19:26:19 GMT
BBC F1
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Post by blacktulip on Mar 6, 2009 13:58:29 GMT
from f1.com
Honda and Ross Brawn have confirmed that they have reached agreement to secure the future of the former Honda Racing F1 Team, with ownership passing to team principal Brawn with immediate effect. Subject to FIA approval, the team will become known as the Brawn GP Formula One Team.
Brawn has agreed a partnership with Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines, Brixworth, UK to supply the team with its 2.4 litre Mercedes-Benz FO108W Formula One engines. This too remains subject to FIA approval.
The team have also confirmed that their race driver line-up for the 2009 season will combine the talents of two of Formula One's most experienced drivers in Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. The race-winning drivers continue their partnership at the team for a fourth consecutive year, forming the most experienced driver partnership on the grid with 423 Grand Prix starts between them.
Brawn commented: "The past few months have been extremely challenging for the team but today's announcement is the very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts that have been made to secure its future.
"Firstly, it is a great shame that having worked with Honda Motor Company for so long we can no longer continue together. I would like to thank Honda for the fantastic co-operation and support we have received throughout this process - particularly those members of the senior management who were closely involved with concluding our agreement - and for the faith they have demonstrated in myself and our team.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to pay due credit to our staff at Brackley. The levels of motivation and commitment that I have witnessed at the factory deserve the highest praise.
"I am delighted that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will form our race driver line-up for the 2009 season. The vast experience and knowledge that both drivers bring to our team will prove invaluable as we aim to get up to speed in the shortest possible time to be ready for the first race of the season in Melbourne on 29 March. In what will be their fourth season together, their experience with our team in Brackley, our systems and our engineers, will prove a real asset.”
Hiroshi Oshima, Managing Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. responsible for Corporate Communications and Motor Sports, commented: "Since announcing our withdrawal from Formula One racing on December 5 of last year, we have conducted various studies and discussions so that the team can continue its activities as a new team. We are very pleased that we could sell the team to Ross Brawn, with whom we have been partaking in the challenges of F1 competition, and are grateful for his decision. We offer our sincerest wishes for the new team which will be led by Ross."
Brawn and the team will now focus its efforts on the remaining pre-season tests, in Barcelona (March 9-12) and Jerez (March 15-17) prior to heading to Melbourne, Australia for the start of the 2009 Formula One season.
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Post by knightelcid on Mar 7, 2009 0:45:03 GMT
I am glad for Ross Brawn. He had the guts to stand against BE and his influence in FOTA. Good to see all the teams back in the grid once again (well...except Super Aguri).
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Post by knightelcid on Mar 7, 2009 0:45:55 GMT
In the other hand too bad Bruno Senna didn't get one of the seats, oh well there is always next year I guess.
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Post by knightelcid on Mar 7, 2009 5:17:29 GMT
Anyway, here are some specs about the new Brawn GP:
Chassis: BGP 001
Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108W
Gearbox: McLaren internals with redesigned casing (TBC)
KERS: McLaren/Mercedez-Benz (probably not running in Australia)
Colour scheme: Team - White/black/yellow Sponsor - Blue/Red/White (rumour)
First run - Friday 6th March 2009 (Silverstone)
First Test - Monday 9th March 2009 (Barcelona)
First Race - Sunday 29th March (Melbourne)
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Post by ukautospark on Mar 7, 2009 7:37:58 GMT
I can confirm there was an F1 car at Silverstone friday.
Rumour has it that it was the new Brawn F1 car, It sounded amazing unfortunately never got to see it from a distance as it was running on the infield some distance away from the paddock.
Mike
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Post by digital_F1 on Mar 7, 2009 9:54:06 GMT
I can confirm there was an F1 car at Silverstone friday. Rumour has it that it was the new Brawn F1 car, It sounded amazing unfortunately never got to see it from a distance as it was running on the infield some distance away from the paddock. Mike Indeed there was Mike. Is a shame they race away from the paddock, isn't it. Understandable why though, isn't it. You wouldn't want prying eyes/cameras watching your new car upon the first run/test. Lucky you got to be there!   Their official website - www.brawngp.com/ |
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Post by susieq on Mar 7, 2009 13:08:16 GMT
I am suprised to see they are using mercedces engines, I thought he still had ties with Ferrari. maybe they are too commited to A1 to be able to support him with engines. Got the website up and running quick enough  |
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Post by gizzy on Mar 7, 2009 22:25:27 GMT
Excellent, good news.
Just a funny little question....aren't they supposed to be running slicks this year?
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Post by digital_F1 on Mar 7, 2009 23:18:43 GMT
Just a funny little question....aren't they supposed to be running slicks this year? Yep, they're Bridgestone's intermediate or wet weather tyres (whichever it is) |
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Post by blacktulip on Mar 8, 2009 7:46:08 GMT
All in all its great to see them back, lets hope they do well as they deserve it
Bet BE is chewing his gums as they have done it without him
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Post by blacktulip on Mar 9, 2009 9:09:52 GMT
From f1.com
Just hours after it was announced that the former Honda team will compete this season, Ross Brawn’s men were already hard at work shaking down their new car ahead of the season opener later this month. Friday’s private test took place at Silverstone, close to the British team’s Brackley headquarters.
Jenson Button, who has been retained to race for the new team, took charge of the Mercedes-engined BGP 001. Team principal Brawn and Button’s team mate for the 2009 season, Rubens Barrichello, were also in attendance as the team’s on-track preparations for the Australian Grand Prix finally got underway.
Following Friday’s outing the team will journey to Spain, where they will join their rivals and test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya for four days from Monday.
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Post by digital_F1 on Mar 9, 2009 18:36:18 GMT
 ;D ;D |
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Post by fizzycola on Mar 9, 2009 20:38:13 GMT
HA HA That's hilarious.....(sorry Button fans  ) Crazy Dave Coulthard and S. Pit Roast ;D ;D ;D ;D Just too funny.......... fizzy |
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Post by blacktulip on Mar 10, 2009 7:34:52 GMT
Its great where did it come from LOL
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Post by digital_F1 on Mar 10, 2009 20:13:22 GMT
Its great where did it come from LOL From the site that you see down the left side of the advert. On Jenson's face. |
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