Ross Brawn - Brawn GP Team
Jenson Button was at the wheel of the brand new ‘Brawn GP Team‘ today at the Silverstone circuit giving the Mercedes-engine Honda it’s track debut after the saving of the Honda F1 team.
A statement released today confirmed the continuation of the Honda Formula One team with Ross Brawn as it’s Team Principal. The statement from Ross Brawn read;
“The past few months have been extremely challenging for the team but today’s announcement is the very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts that have been made to secure it’s future.
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-0peration 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.
I am delighted that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will form our race driver line-up for the 2009 season. 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 in Melbourne on the 29th March. In what will be fourth season together their experience with out team in Brackley, our systems and our engineers, will prove a real asset.
It would be impossible to mention all of the people without whom today’s announcement may not have been possible, however I would like to express particular appreciation for the support we have received from Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile), FOM (Formula One Management), BERR (the UK’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), Bridgestone, our other team partners and our many fans the world over. The journey ahead will be challenging but exciting and we know we can count on their continued enthusiasm for our team and its ambition.”
Within hours of the statement, the Mercedes-powered BGP 001 was on the track on a private test session with both drivers. It is believed that the team will travel to Spain after this test to join the other drivers in Barcelona for the four day test session taking place from Monday.
1 comment so far
1 Abe // Mar 29, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Thank goodness there are men like Ross Brawn around. He has proved many times over that he as at the very top of technological mastery and, having just watched the Australian GP, I wish the Brawn GP Team all the very best in the world & hope their successes throughout the season are many. What a marvellous story that would be; its almost the stuff of a Hollywood feel-good film already.