Former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn has bought Honda’s Formula 1 operation, and will enter the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship under the name Brawn GP. Honda withdrew from Grand Prix racing at the end of 2008, as a result of the global financial crisis.
Barrichello and Button’s F1 Futures Secured
In addition to securing the jobs of hundreds of ex-Honda employees the sale also means that Formula 1 veterans Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button will be on the grid this season. The new cars will be powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.
Brawn, 54, is excited about the challenges which lie ahead, and delighted to retain the services of Barrichello and Button. He was quoted on the BBC Sport website talking about the benefits of such an experienced driver pairing;
“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.”
There had been speculation that Barrichello, the most experienced Formula 1 driver in history, was set to lose his race seat to Brazilian youngster Bruno Senna, the nephew of the late triple World Champion Ayrton Senna. With Barrichello now confirmed at Brawn GP Senna will have to wait for his chance to race in Formula 1.
Brawn’s Previous Successes in F1 Racing
Brawn, 54, has an extraordinary track record in Formula 1. The Englishman is most closely associated with seven times World Champion Michael Schumacher. He teamed up with the German driver at Benetton in the early 1990s, the partnership claiming consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995.
When Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 Brawn followed him. After helping make the team a competitive force again Brawn helped Schumacher on his way to five consecutive World Championships. After taking a year out Brawn returned to Formula 1 in 2008 with the struggling Honda team, but the hoped for renaissance never materialised.
Major Challenges for Brawn GP Team
After a shakedown test Brawn GP plan to participate in the two Formula 1 tests which remain before the start of the new season in Australia at the end of March. These are scheduled to be held at Barcelona and Jerez in Spain. The team will have a host of changes to contend with, including the return of slick tyres, radical new bodywork rules and the introduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).
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