Honda's F1 team is back
The Honda Formula 1 team becomes Brawn GP and enjoys successful testing
After months of rumours the Honda F1 team has gained a buyout – and testing has got off to a good start. The former boss of Honda’s Formula 1 efforts, Ross Brawn, has bought out the UK-based team, which now takes on the name Brawn GP.
Testing in Barcelona got off to a cracking start today too, with Jenson Button piloting the fairly plain looking BGP01 on its debut and setting the quickest lap at 1:21.140. That’s over a second and a half quicker than Raikkonen in his Ferrari and more than three seconds ahead of Kovalainen in his 2009-winged McLaren.
As well as a big lift to the old Honda team (which had a less than successful 2008) it is a huge boost to Button, who has reportedly halved his wage to stay with the team and help get things going again.
The season kicks off on March 29 in Melbourne, where we’ll be able to see how he (and Brawn) gets on.