This came in the last hour:
BRAWN BUYS OUT HONDA
Ross Brawn has taken control of the former Honda Racing outfit
in a move that secures the survival of the tenth team in Formula
One.
After months of speculation about the future of the Brackley-based
outfit, following Honda's decision to quit grand prix racing last
December, a 100 per cent buyout by
Brawn has resulted in the team being renamed 'Brawn
GP'.
A statement issued at midnight on Thursday said that Brawn had
reached agreement with the Honda Motor Company to take ownership of
the team. It was also confirmed that
the outfit will be powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.
As autosport.com revealed earlier this week, Jenson Button will be partnered by Rubens
Barrichello, who is set to extend his record as the most
experienced driver in Formula One history.
Speaking about the new deal, Brawn said: "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."
Brawn added: "It would be impossible to mention all of the people
without whom today's announcement may not have been possible,
however I would like to express particular appreciation for the
support we have received from Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, the FIA
(Fédération Internationale de L'Automobile), FOM (Formula One
Management), FOTA (Formula One Teams Association), BERR (the UK's
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform),
Bridgestone, our other team partners and our many fans the world
over.
"The journey ahead will be challenging but exciting and we know we
can count on their continued enthusiasm for our team and its
ambitions."
Brawn said that the huge experience that Button and Barrichello
have between them, having started 423 races in total, would be
invaluable to the outfit as it bids to make up for lost time over
this winter.
"I am delighted that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will form
our race driver line-up for the 2009 season," he said.
"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."
Honda made it clear it was delighted to have finally put together a
deal to safeguard the future of the team.
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 GP, whose official colours
appear to be yellow, black and white, are scheduled to shake down
the new BGP 001 at Silverstone tomorrow in a behind-closed-doors
test session, prior to a full blown run out at Barcelona next week
and Jerez on March 15-17.