Brawn GP Logo

Its official, Honda F1 is saved. The Japanese outfit Honda agreed to the sale of the formula one unit Honda formula one to ex-team boss Ross Brawn. The team has been re-christened Brawn GP. The message on the Brawn GP official site read:

On behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, welcome to our new team and our new website BrawnGP.com

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you – our fans, our partners and our media colleagues – for your tremendous support during the past few months. It has been a challenging period but we have now achieved a very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts which have been made to secure our future. We have also been left in no doubt as to the level of enthusiasm for the team and our ambitions.
Our focus now is on preparations for the first race of the 2009 calendar in Melbourne on 29 March. Over the coming weeks we will bring you the very latest news and pictures from the build-up to the Brawn GP team’s debut season plus our plans for the development of BrawnGP.com
Enjoy the new season.
With very best wishes

Ross Brawn
Team Principal

The team also confirmed that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will be their drivers for the 2009 season. The press release on the Brawn GP site read Ross Brawn’s message to Honda’s fans :

“The past few months have been extremely challenging for the team but the announcement is a very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts that have been made to secure its future,” said Brawn

“Firstly, it is a great shame that having worked with Honda Motor Company for so long we can no longer continue together.

“I would like to thank Honda for the fantastic co-operation and support we have received throughout this process – particularly those members of the senior management who were closely involved with concluding our agreement – and for the faith they have demonstrated in myself and our team.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay due credit to our staff at Brackley. The levels of motivation and commitment that I have witnessed at the factory deserve the highest praise.”