FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Jabberwocky]

I think Richards first meeting after he has taken it over with Nick Fry...


Your Fired

[Rivelution]

I hope this is true!!!!!

With little over six weeks to go now before the 2009 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, rumours are finally circulating that Honda F1 has been saved – and will be on the starting grid Down Under at the end of March.

Crash.net understands that Ross Brawn – team principal of the beleaguered Brackley-based outfit, put up for sale by the parent company in Japan back at the beginning of December – has circulated an e-mail to staff to the effect that a deal has been done to secure the squad's future, and that everybody should begin preparing for Melbourne.

It is also claimed that five sponsors have been found to adorn the side of the car, and though the identity of the engine-supplier is unknown, McLaren partner Mercedes-Benz is strongly believed to be the most likely candidate.

On the driving front, finally, it is understood that Jenson Button will remain, with the British ace expected to be joined by reigning GP2 Series runner-up Bruno Senna – who impressed when he tested for the team at Barcelona in Spain late last year – with backing from a portfolio of Brazilian sponsors.

What truth there is to the latest speculation is unclear, but with time fast advancing an announcement is expected to be imminent.

Honda staff were remaining tight-lipped when Crash.net contacted the team for a comment on Thursday

http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/142918/1/brawn_e-mail_hints_honda_f1_saved.html

[darwin dali]

We'll have to wait and see how much truth there is to this...

[Rivelution]

We'll have to wait and see how much truth there is to this...

Yeah and I'm hoping its true because I dont want to see F1 have fewer than 20 cars on the grid.

[cap-dude]

We can only hope its true. We've already had a false buyer story.

But if its true, teams must confirm their name and drivers within 40 days of the seasons opening race. With only 41 days left till melbourne, that means we shouldn't have to wait too long to hear ex-Hondas future.

[Jabberwocky]

I am sure roles like that could be bent, it all depends on how much Bernie and Max want them on the grid

[Gaz]

nothing confirmed yet.. i hope its true tho i really do

[7UpJordan]

I really hope this is true, I would love to see Bruno Senna get that elusive seat, but at the same time it'll be sad to see that Barrichello's days are over and he will be missed.

[McLaren Fan]

Well, I hope the news is true, although I am a bit sad for Barrichello. I think, even at his age, he still has a lot to offer Formula One.

[EwanM]

I hope it is the management buy out.
Nick Fry F1

[7UpJordan]

Well, I hope the news is true, although I am a bit sad for Barrichello. I think, even at his age, he still has a lot to offer Formula One.

I think he's got a lot more to offer than Button, I reckon Senna will out-do Button next season the same way his uncle had the edge over Johnny Cecotto at Toleman when he made his F1 debut 25 years ago.

[Rivelution]

Honda Motor sold its Formula One team for just one pound (1.46 dollars) to former team principal Ross Brawn to keep it in the sport, a Japanese newspaper reported Friday.
"Since our withdrawal (in December), it was our top priority to sell the team on condition it continues its F1 activities," an unnamed Honda official was quoted as saying by the Yomiuri Shimbun. "The price was not a problem."
"We could not sell the team to partners who had sought to disband it and sell its assets on a piecemeal basis," he said. "We also needed to protect the jobs of hundreds of people and we think it was a good conclusion."
A Honda spokesman declined to reveal financial details of the deal.
Honda is reported to have spent 20 billion yen (200 million dollars) in running the F1 team.
Honda's profit was estimated at 80 billion yen for the business year to March 31, down 87 percent from the preceding year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jpbw6zxz59uyuqhBwabp_rZHj80A