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[f1ea]

Looks like Honda is on the prowl, here's what Nick Fry has to say:

(From F1-Live)

Neither current race driver is guaranteed his Honda seat beyond this season, team boss Nick Fry has warned. With both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello's contracts expiring at the end of the year, Fry claims that the Brackley-based outfit is an increasingly attractive proposition amongst other talented drivers on the market.

"We're open minded at the moment and our drivers are aware of that," Fry told the virtual magazine GPWeek.

"Obviously when you have a Team Principal and technical guru like Ross (Brawn) in the team, we become possibly even more attractive than we were before and the change in the regulations for next year gives teams like us a big opportunity."

"Hopefully we can take advantage of that. At the moment we're not short of offers," Fry added.

It is an open secret in the F1 paddocks this season that Honda is hoping to capitalise on the sweeping rule changes by already switching its focus to the all-new 2009 car.

[Kiwi_Chris]

I would expect Button to be retained for next year at the least, although i think barrichello should start looking for another job. I dont expect to see him on the grid next year

[McLaren Fan]

Given the standard of equipment that Button and Barrichello have been driving, I think they've both done a pretty good job this season. Brawn is also quite a big admirer of of Barrichello's input to a team, so that also suggests he has a decent chance of staying. I don't really think anybody extra special will be looking to jump to Honda next year. The big guns in the sport either have contracts for their current teams, are happy to stay at the team at which they are, or both. The rule changes apply to everybody and make predictions about the strength of teams something of a lottery, so leaving even a half-decent team could turn out to be a mistake just as easily as it could be the right decision.

[Denthúl]

The only real changes I can see to the Honda line-up are either Taku or Ant replacing Rubens, and to be honest, despite feeling that Ant really deserves a race seat, I don't want Rubens to leave the team.

[Jensonb]

Reads like Jenson and/or Rubens are giving Honda a hard time, not the other way 'round. Recall Australia, Honda were singing the praises of Jenson and the team's relationship, talking up a probable extension and how great it was for them to be so close to such.

So why are they suddenly looking elsewhere?

Surely Flavio's not had a word with Jenson about Fernando's restlessness meaning he can now play Renault against Honda...

[f1ea]

Apparently Nick Fry is taking the 'it's a cutthroat bussiness' line a bit too literally.

After all they have done for Honda in the past 2-3 seasons Jenson and Rubens deserve a little bit more respect. EVERYONE knows what Nick Fry is saying is true, but its one of the things you should handle with more discretion... after all, Honda has not been "open minded" as they say they are, with Jenson and his contracts for a few yrs now...

[McLaren Fan]

Apparently Nick Fry is taking the 'it's a cutthroat bussiness' line a bit too literally.

After all they have done for Honda in the past 2-3 seasons Jenson and Rubens deserve a little bit more respect. EVERYONE knows what Nick Fry is saying is true, but its one of the things you should handle with more discretion... after all, Honda has not been "open minded" as they say they are, with Jenson and his contracts for a few yrs now...

Correct. Nick Fry has turned into another megalomaniac, as shown via his role in Super Aguri's demise, and now this.

[Jabberwocky]

I think we are reading more into this than there is, This is just a message to JB and RB saying "Don't rest on your laurels (spl) lad, keep digging deep"

[Jensonb]

I think we are reading more into this than there is, This is just a message to JB and RB saying "Don't rest on your laurels (spl) lad, keep digging deep"

Not a chance. Neither Jenson nor Rubens need any such message, Nick surely knows that.

[Selcouth_Feline]

I'm not sure that Honda really are the 'attractive' package that Fry seems to think they are. I definitely can't see any of the top drivers wanting to move across to Honda, and I think Honda could do a lot worse than sticking with their current pairing.

I have to say, I am really starting to dislike Nick Fry.

[7UpJordan]

I have to say, I am really starting to dislike Nick Fry.

Same here, especially after the way he stuck his nose in Super Aguri's affairs effectively killing them off and for then coming out and saying "F1 doesn't need privateers".

I'm expecting a lot of angry Sato fans to turn up at Fuji brandishing anti-Fry banners etc.

[EwanM]

I have to say, I am really starting to dislike Nick Fry.

Same here, especially after the way he stuck his nose in Super Aguri's affairs effectively killing them off and for then coming out and saying "F1 doesn't need privateers".

I'm expecting a lot of angry Sato fans to turn up at Fuji brandishing anti-Fry banners etc.

Anyone go to the British Grand Prix after party in 2005, when Nick Fry turned out with the sunshades on and tried t crack a few jokes to Tony Jardine ?

[Jensonb]

I'm not sure that Honda really are the 'attractive' package that Fry seems to think they are. I definitely can't see any of the top drivers wanting to move across to Honda, and I think Honda could do a lot worse than sticking with their current pairing.

Some of the Paddock reckon its as strong as any other lineup.

[bud]

he is just starting to pave the way for Danica to get a race seat with this comment

[przemo]

he is just starting to pave the way for Danica to get a race seat with this comment

Patrick threatening F1 veterans? No way!