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[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Honda yet to decide on '09 line-up

By Jonathan Noble Saturday, October 11th 2008, 10:32 GMT

Honda Racing are likely to wait until after the end of the season to decide on their 2009 driver line-up, with the Japanese manufacturer still holding out for the chance of luring Fernando Alonso from Renault.

Although it is understood that terms have been agreed with Jenson Button to remain on board next year, no decision has yet been taken about the second seat.

Alonso has been offered a drive alongside Button and the team will hold out for as long as it takes for the Spaniard to decide on what he wants to do before they make their mind up about the second seat.

With Alonso stating that he will wait until after the Brazilian GP to finalise what he wants to do in 2009, it means Honda Racing are unlikely to announce either of their drivers until after the season has finished.

"We haven't set a time frame to decide (ourselves)," said team principal Ross Brawn. "It will be after the season finishes, but there is no desperate rush."

The situation also means that Rubens Barrichello may head into his home race in Brazil not sure if it will be his final F1 race.

The Brazilian is believed to still have a chance to stay on board if Alonso decides to remain at Renault, and Honda opt to not take a young driver like Bruno Senna.

The decision on a young driver could well be influenced by how strong the team believe they have a chance of securing a top-line driver like Alonso or Robert Kubica to partner Button in 2010.

Should the team feel the possibility is good, then they may choose to sign Barrichello for one final season, rather than bring on a youngster for just a single campaign.

I can see why they want to send Barrichello packing if Alonso was interested in signing, for, to be fair, Barrichello is in the twilight of his career, but, if Alonso does want to join Honda, they should offer Barrichello a new contract. He has more than been a match for Button, supposedly a good driver, this season, has bags of experience and is still highly motivated. Bruno Senna, the other name interested, offers none of those things. It would be a waste and a crying shame not to see Barrichello on the grid next season.

[f1maniac95]

I reckon they'll re-sign Barrichello they haven't really got much chance of getting Alonso to join them when they're pretty much at the back.

[max]

Jenson Who ?

Seriously, Re-sign Barrichello it's like re-sign Button : a bad idea !

[cap-dude]

I agree, Rubens has delivered more then Jenson this year. But I cannot see Barrichello Alonso next year.
But then again, I don't think Jenson has the extra push to take a world title frankly. He's been a competitive position, and has let wins slip a few times I think. Then again, what do I know.

But I'd say Alonso will remain at Renault. It only makes sense right now to stick with a team that will gain hugely from the engine parody come winter.

[FerrariFan63]

Jenson Who ?

Seriously, Re-sign Barrichello it's like re-sign Button : a bad idea !

Who are they going to sign if they don't sign their current drivers? I don't think Honda's problems are their drivers.

[7UpJordan]

Button will probably get kept on because of his best friend in the world Nick Fry.

[FerrariFan63]

Button will probably get kept on because of his best friend in the world Nick Fry.

Experienced drivers are useful when you desperately need to develop your car. Younger drivers might have some extra speed, but don't have so much experience on which to help drive the team forward.

[Rivelution]

I havent heard of Jenson all this year, and like Max said "Jenson who?"

[Kiwi_Chris]

I hope they retain their driver line up, i dont think Alonso is the magic bullet that they think he will be. They would be much better off using barrichello next year to help develop the car and he has already proven he can work well with Brawn in that regard.
Alonso is quick but i do wonder if he would be capable of really leading Honda out of where they are at the momment.

[Selcouth_Feline]

I don't think Honda's problems are their drivers.

Quite. I think they stopped work on the '08 car quite early on the season because they knew it was fundamentally flawed, therefore they knew that they would go backwards through the field as the season progressed. So I don't think it's fair to judge either driver on this season's performance.

Anyway, shall we have a show of hands as to who thinks Alonso will go to Honda next season? I suspect the odds are really quite low, although stranger things have happened!

[Denthúl]

Button will probably get kept on because of his best friend in the world Nick Fry.

I don't like Nick Fry. Since the Super Aguri incident everything he's said has been negative in some way...

[madbrad]

I agree that Frye is a dildohead. He thinks F1 needs him, and pushes his opinion on everyone like it's gospel. Alonso will never go to Honda in its current form so stop waiting. I thought Rubens was going away. They'd be better off hiring a new talent. Let's clear out some old cobwebs anyway and freshen up the sport with a slew of new names. One of them is bound to be a star.

[7UpJordan]

Button will probably get kept on because of his best friend in the world Nick Fry.

I don't like Nick Fry. Since the Super Aguri incident everything he's said has been negative in some way...

Indeed, Nick Fry is a top nominee for F1 villain of 2008 after he killed that noble team off and then rubbed salt into the wounds saying F1 doesn't need privateers and it should be a manufacturers only formulae.

[texasmr2]

I will be sad when Ruben's is gone but all good thing's must come to an end.

[EwanM]

lol Honda won't sack Button they have invested too much money on him to blow it all.
Sadly Rubens will be pushed out of the door.
Not by Alonso he surely has to consider staying over at Enstone.