Brawn: biggest test passed

ROSS BRAWN feels his new team have overcome their biggest hurdle as they now focus on the start of the new Formula One season.

Brawn GP will take to the grid in Australia on March 29 after weeks of uncertainty following Honda’s decision to withdraw from F1 three months ago.

The former Ferrari technical guru has confirmed he is the owner, in conjunction with the full support of a management team, after Honda Motor Co in Japan agreed to his buy-out.

It is understood Brawn GP are being supported for the year by money from Honda as they would ordinarily have spent millions of pounds in making redundant the 700 staff at the team’s Brackley HQ.

With help from Mercedes with regard to the engine, and with drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello on board, the team can finally go racing.

Following a successful shakedown test at Silverstone yesterday, with Button at the wheel and with the car sporting a primarily white livery with flashes of yellow and black, a much-relieved Brawn said: “It has been a challenging few months for the team.

“But I am pleased we have finally reached a successful conclusion and the future of the team has been secured.

“Honda wanted to make every effort possible to secure the future of the team. Closing it down was always a last resort.

“Following their decision to withdraw, we needed to find a way to secure as many jobs as possible, to ensure the team’s continued participation in Formula One and make best use of the state-of-the-art facilities we are fortunate to have in Brackley.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on the options open to Honda.

“Suffice to say the Honda board recommended and approved this route and I’m obviously very pleased they reached that conclusion.

“Quite simply, I have purchased the team from Honda.

“As the owner I will continue to be supported by the incumbent management team, who have worked closely with me throughout the sale process and will continue to do so in the future.”

Button is understood to have halved his salary to retain his race seat, with the Briton now earning £7.5 million.

As for Barrichello, his experience gave him the edge over fellow Brazilian Bruno Senna, with Brawn now targeting nothing more than respectability ahead of what will undoubtedly be a tough season.

“We are very fortunate to have two experienced drivers in Jenson and Rubens,” added Brawn.

“They will enable us to hit the ground running when we test for the first time in Barcelona next week.

“After four years as team-mates, their experience with our team in Brackley, our systems and our engineers, will prove a real asset.

“Jenson and Rubens have always had a great relationship, and we expect to see them pushing each other hard over the season to get the best performance from the car and drive forward its development.

“Both drivers are extremely motivated having trained hard over the winter to ensure they were in the best possible physical condition.

“Now we look forward to their first thoughts on the BGP001 at next week’s Barcelona test, which will be an emotional moment for everyone in the team, I’m sure.”