Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz buys 75% stake in Brawn GP, rebrands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/officially-official-mercedes-benz-buys-75-stake-in-brawn-gp-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/officially-official-mercedes-benz-buys-75-stake-in-brawn-gp-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/officially-official-mercedes-benz-buys-75-stake-in-brawn-gp-r/#commentsFiled under: ,



Brawn Grand Prix officially announced this morning that Daimler AG and Aabar Investments PJSC has bought a 75-percent stake in the team that won the world championship in its first year of existence. The team run by ex-Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn was born just under a year ago out of the ashes of the former Honda F1 team after that automaker pulled out of the sport. With Brawn taking over the reigns, the team secured a supply of engines from Mercedes and went on to win numerous races in 2009 along with both the constructors and drivers world championship for driver Jenson Button.

Rumors of Mercedes expanding its involvement with the Brawn team have been ongoing throughout most of the season. The Stuttgart automaker has been gradually pulling away from the McLaren team following the scandals of recent years and end of the SLR road car program. The McLaren Group will buy back the 40-percent stake in itself that Daimler currently holds by the end of 2011. The deal leaves the door open for Mercedes to continue supplying engines to McLaren through 2015. However, there has been speculation about McLaren attempting to buy the former BMW F1 engine shop to build its own powerplants.

The Brawn team will now be known as Mercedes Grand Prix and Ross Brawn will continue as the team principal. Thanks to Peter and Oliver for the tips!

[Source: Mercedes-Benz, Brawn GP]

Continue reading Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz buys 75% stake in Brawn GP, rebrands

Officially Official: Mercedes-Benz buys 75% stake in Brawn GP, rebrands originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnBrawn GPBrawn GP Teambrawn racingBrawnGpBrawnGpTeamBrawnRacingmercedesmercedes brawn buyoutmercedes grand prixmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesBrawnBuyoutMercedesGrandPrixMon, 16 Nov 2009 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Graham Prix: Brawn GP finally gets its own watch line... and it's about time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/graham-prix-brawn-gp-finally-gets-its-own-watch-line-and-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/graham-prix-brawn-gp-finally-gets-its-own-watch-line-and-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/07/graham-prix-brawn-gp-finally-gets-its-own-watch-line-and-it/#commentsFiled under: ,

Graham-London Chronofighter G-BGP-001 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're going to be a world championship Formula One team, you're going to need your own watch line. Ferrari is with Panerai, McLaren is with TAG Heuer, and even Williams has Oris. The Honda team was in league with Seiko, but since splitting off as Brawn GP, the title-leading race team has been decidedly bereft of sponsors. But a new partnership with Graham-London brings the record-breaking team a new collection of timepieces to measure just how far ahead of the competition they are.

Far from the kind of capitalization you'd expect of the winning team's sponsor, Graham's line of Brawn GP wristwatches is limited to 250 examples, split between two models: the Chronofighter G-BGP-001 and the Silverstone G-BGP-001. Both feature 47-mm steel cases and are available with either black or white faces offset by the team's signature neon yellow accents. A transparent sapphire crystal case-back puts the intricate Swiss movement on display, secured to the wrist by a sporty rubber strap.

Made by the company that claims the origin of the chronograph movement, Graham-London was founded in 1695 and manufactures its movements in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Details in the press release after the jump and high-res images in the gallery below.


Gallery: Graham-London Brawn GP watch line


[Source: Graham-London]

Continue reading Graham Prix: Brawn GP finally gets its own watch line... and it's about time

Graham Prix: Brawn GP finally gets its own watch line... and it's about time originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn gpBrawnGpdriving watchDrivingWatchgraham brawngraham londongraham-londonGrahamBrawnGrahamLondonross brawnRossBrawntimepiecewatchWed, 07 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Mercedes-Benz may buy a stake in Brawn GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-mercedes-benz-may-buy-a-stake-in-brawn-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-mercedes-benz-may-buy-a-stake-in-brawn-gp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/report-mercedes-benz-may-buy-a-stake-in-brawn-gp/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Daily Telegraph reports Mercedes-Benz is considering purchainsg a stake in the Brawn GP team. The Brawn team was born out of the ashes of Honda F1 at the end of 2008 when the Japanese automaker decided to withdraw. At the time, Brawn was able to strike a deal with Mercedes for a supply of engines for 2009. Team principal Ross Brawn quickly demonstrated what his team could do by firing off a string of victories. According to the Telegraph, Mercedes actually considered buying the team as McLaren struggled.

This would come as a dramatic turnaround if the deal does come to fruition. Earlier this year, McLaren reportedly looked at following Honda out the door at the prompting of board member Helmut Lense. Now the paper reports that besides possibly buying into Brawn, the automaker could expand its engine supply to Red Bull in addition to McLaren, Brawn and Force India.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz may buy a stake in Brawn GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn gpbrawn racingbrawngpbrawngpteamBrawnRacingmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz f1mercedes-benzmercedesbenzMercedesBenzF1Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Could Ross Brawn lose his license for speeding?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/could-ross-brawn-lose-his-license-for-speeding/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/could-ross-brawn-lose-his-license-for-speeding/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/could-ross-brawn-lose-his-license-for-speeding/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Are Formula One legends above the law when it comes to driving on public roads? No and that belief hasn't stopped a handful of drivers from getting into their fair share of trouble. Lewis Hamilton, for example, had his license revoked in France. Michael Schumacher, on the other hand, has gotten into an array of amusing fender-benders behind the wheel of "ordinary" vehicles. Now you can add to their ranks on Ross Brawn, the legendary race strategist responsible for countless race wins and world titles for Benetton, Ferrari and now his own championship-leading Brawn GP team.

The British motorsport engineer was reportedly busted by police in his native England going 100 miles per hour in a 70 zone behind the wheel of a Mercedes. He was set to appear in court last Tuesday, but rescheduled for September 4 once the grands prix in Spain and Belgium are done. When he does finally appear before the magistrate, Brawn could stand to lose his license. Just as well, because he can probably direct a chauffeur to drive even better than he can himself. Just ask Schumacher or Button.

[Source: BBC | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]

Could Ross Brawn lose his license for speeding? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things could hardly have played out worse for Honda. It has poured what surely amounted to billions of dollars for years into its Formula One team with little effect. Then it brought in Ross Brawn, only to withdrew its support from the squad, then it sold the entire operation to Brawn while paying out big bucks to avoid an even bigger severance bill. And only then did Brawn turn the F1 team into a winner. That'd be enough to send some automakers scurrying to get back in the game, but not Honda.

The Japanese automaker's new CEO Tokanobu Ito has reportedly completely ruled out the possibility of a return to F1 "even if the economy improves," deriding the series as bereft of relevant development possibilities. Well, there you have it. No word, however, on whether Honda will support the 2010 Japanese Grand Prix at its Suzuka Circuit after Toyota withdrew its Fuji Speedway from the event.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty]

Honda CEO reportedly rules out return to Formula One originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After all of this year's soap opera stories in Formula One, it appears there will be a unified championship series next year after all. According to The Times UK, controversial F1 boss Max Mosley has been "forced into a humiliating climbdown as president of the FIA," and his reign is over effective today.

Apparently, with the Formula One Teams Association's (FOTA) plan to build its own breakaway series and take most of its highest-profile (and highest-dollar) draws away with it, the FIA realized that something had to be done. Eight teams, including Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, and Brawn GP had pulled out of the series over concerns relating to a new £40m budget cap (around $66m USD).

With Mosley's departure effective immediately, F1 teams and the sanctioning body have agreed to cost cuts with the goal of getting spending outlays back down to the that of the early Nineties within two years.

Mosley has agreed to end his 16 year term at the FIA and not seek re-election to another office.

[Source: Times UK | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

BREAKING: F1 reunites as Max Mosely reportedly forced to quit F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrawnbreakingbreakingnewsF1FerrariFIAFormula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneFOTAGPGrand PrixGrandPrixMax MoselyMaxMoselyMoselyWed, 24 Jun 2009 09:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Spoiler Alert: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix recap]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/spoiler-alert-2009-monaco-grand-prix-recap/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/spoiler-alert-2009-monaco-grand-prix-recap/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/spoiler-alert-2009-monaco-grand-prix-recap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


2009 Monaco Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Another race, another week of wondering whether the other Formula 1 teams would make enough progress to catch Brawn GP. Saturday's qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix looked pretty familiar, save for a sorely missed flash of red on the front row. This week's top three? Not surprisingly, Brawn's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello bracketing Ferrari's former champion, Kimi Raikkonen. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was fourth, with last year's runner-up, Felipe Massa fifth in the other Ferrari. Massa had shown the updated F60's potential by qualifying fourth last time out in Spain, but it was refreshing to see both Ferraris in the front three rows for a change. Would KERS help Kimi grab the lead going into turn one? Would Brawn show any chinks in its previously impervious armor? Would Vettel somehow get through to bring Red Bull its second victory of the season? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix recap

Spoiler Alert: 2009 Monaco Grand Prix recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At this past weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the Brawn cars didn't just beat McLaren - they lapped them. With both teams running the same Mercedes engines, and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton piloting the lapped McLaren, it was clear that Brawn is simply running a better car. Anyone watching the race had to be wondering what the corporate big-wigs at Mercedes were thinking as the Brawn cars crossed the finish line a full lap ahead of the McLaren. But we can stop wondering now.

According to the latest reports, Mercedes is considering throwing more weight behind the championship-leading Brawn team. Or at least jumping on the bandwagon. The customer engine deal between the German automaker and the former Honda team doesn't include any branding on the BGP 001 chassis' livery - which remains conspicuously light on sponsorship altogether - but that could change as Mercedes is keen to cash in on the success of the team to which it's selling engines. Benz motorsport chief Norbert Haug was quick to emphasize that any rapprochement to Brawn GP doesn't reflect on its relationship with McLaren, but with that partnership constantly in jeopardy, you can't help but wonder now if Mercedes would be saying the same if McLaren was leading and Brawn was marking the back.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Paul Crock/AFP/Getty]

Shining Star: Mercedes to throw its weight behind Brawn GP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn gpbrawn liverybrawn-mercedesBrawnGpBrawnLiverymclaren-mercedesmercedesmercedes f1mercedes mclarenmercedes-benzMercedesF1MercedesMclarennorbert haugNorbertHaugWed, 13 May 2009 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 Spanish Grand Prix: How the Mighty Have Fallen [SPOILER ALERT]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/10/2009-spanish-grand-prix-how-the-mighty-have-fallen-spoiler-ale/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/10/2009-spanish-grand-prix-how-the-mighty-have-fallen-spoiler-ale/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/10/2009-spanish-grand-prix-how-the-mighty-have-fallen-spoiler-ale/#commentsFiled under:

2009 Chinese Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Those who tuned in on Saturday for the qualifying session at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix would not have been surprised by the top three: Brawn's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello took first and third on the starting grid, respectively, sandwiching Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in second. No big surprise there - after dominating the first four rounds of the season, these three drivers hold the top three spots in the standings, after all. But coming in right behind them was a daunting wild card in Felipe Massa, who took fourth place on the grid. Of course only in this topsy-turvy season could Ferrari's golden boy, runner-up in last year's championship, be considered a wild card. Call it a sign of the times. But would Massa be able to turn around his dismal fortunes, take on the erstwhile underdogs and restore the Scuderia to its rightful place in the winner's circle? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: 2009 Spanish Grand Prix

Continue reading 2009 Spanish Grand Prix: How the Mighty Have Fallen [SPOILER ALERT]

2009 Spanish Grand Prix: How the Mighty Have Fallen [SPOILER ALERT] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 May 2009 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Bahrain Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

If you hadn't watched a single grand prix yet this season, hadn't read any F1-related news or even glanced at a headline, and hadn't spoken to a single racing fan for the past couple of months, you'd likely be shocked to find out how this season has unfolded so far, with the back-markers going from checkered pasts to checkered flags over the course of the winter break. But even at the break-neck speeds which modern F1 cars travel, you wouldn't need an elaborate explanation to catch up with the parade. All you'd need would be to look at the expression on the face of this weekend's race winner and you'd be there. Follow the jump to catch a glimpse.


Gallery: 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Spraying the Bubbly at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: Spraying the Bubbly at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 bahrain gp2009 bahrain grand prix2009BahrainGp2009BahrainGrandPrixbahrainbahrain gpbahrain grand prixBahrainGpBahrainGrandPrixbrawnbrawn gpBrawnGpbuttonf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnejarno trulliJarnoTrullijenson buttonJensonButtonmiddle eastMiddleEastred bullred bull f1red bull racingred bull-renaultRedBullRedBull-renaultRedBullF1RedBullRacingsebastian vettelSebastianVetteltoyotatoyota f1ToyotaF1trullivettelSun, 26 Apr 2009 16:23:00 EST<![CDATA[F1 Diffuser Saga Defused: Court of Appeal rules in favor of Brawn, et al.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/the-f1-diffuser-saga-defused-court-of-appeal-rules-in-favor-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/the-f1-diffuser-saga-defused-court-of-appeal-rules-in-favor-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/15/the-f1-diffuser-saga-defused-court-of-appeal-rules-in-favor-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Brawn GP diffuser as seen by the competition

The FIA International Court of Appeal has just ruled that the "Diffuser 3" can continue on with their current shapely backsides, much to the chagrin of Formula 1 competitor Ferrari (among others). The Court had met in Paris to respond to a challenge issued by Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault, which questioned whether or not the rear diffusers being used by Toyota, Williams and Brawn met the regulations.

From the beginning of the season, the established front-runners have been amazed at the pace of those teams. Much of that pace has been attributed to a rear diffuser that seemed in theory to deviate from the straight-topped one the rules stipulated (which the rest of the field is using).

The other teams interpreted the 2009 rules one way and the Diffuser 3 adherents read the regulations differently. With the new ruling, it looks like the rest of the field will be playing catchup, and the V-shaped upper panel is sure to pop up on the rest of the cars very soon. Whether or not it will have an impact on the standings remains to be seen, as Brawn for one has proven to be a well-run operation with a strong engine and re-energized drivers.

[Source: F1-Live]

F1 Diffuser Saga Defused: Court of Appeal rules in favor of Brawn, et al. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn gpBrawnGpbreakingbreaking newsbreakingnewsdiffuserdiffusersf1FIAformula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnemclarenred bullRedBulltoyotawilliamsWed, 15 Apr 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Pending F1 diffuser decision will favor Brawn, Williams, Toyota]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/rumormill-f1-diffuser-decision-will-favor-brawn-williams-toyo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/rumormill-f1-diffuser-decision-will-favor-brawn-williams-toyo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/14/rumormill-f1-diffuser-decision-will-favor-brawn-williams-toyo/#commentsFiled under:



Formula 1 so far this year has probably provided a lot more excitement than anyone expected, and in a change from the usual, this time a lot of it is good. The two races so far have seen a heap of on-track passing - and not just of backmarkers - as well as an inversion of the standings: McLaren and Ferrari near at the bottom, Brawn (née Honda) and Toyota are at the top.

Much of that has been credited to the diffusers that the Brawn (above) and Toyota teams are using, which, along with the Williams diffuser, have been challenged as illegal by the other teams. Today, the FIA Court of Appeal will hear arguments for and against the diffuser design and a decision is due Wednesday. It is being reported already by The Daily Mail, however, that the court of appeal will declare the diffusers legal, not wanting to contradict the FIA stewards in Australia and Malaysia, as well as the FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

Ross Brawn has been called out specifically by both Bernie Ecclestone and Renault's Flavio Briatore because he is the technical representative for the Formula One Teams Alliance. Both accused him in a roundabout way of using the rules to his advantage from his privileged position and leaving the others in the dust. In reply, Brawn said "I did explain that I felt we should have a different set of rules to simplify what needed to be done. I offered them, and they were rejected. We needed to clean the rules up, but nobody was interested. They're interested now."

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Rumormill: Pending F1 diffuser decision will favor Brawn, Williams, Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix - Click above for high-res gallery

Boring. Predictable. The world's most expensive parade. Sound familiar? If it does, chances are you've steered clear (so to speak) of Formula One for the past decade or so. And even the most red-blooded racing enthusiasts among us would have to admit that you had good reason.

As spectacular as it was, Michael Schumacher's domination of the pinnacle of motor racing got a little boring after a while. Schumi's long since retired - his lackluster brother Ralf, too - but the past couple seasons since have still been dominated by the rival powerhouses of McLaren and Ferrari trading places on the podium and hoisting the championship trophies. This weekend's Australian Grand Prix seems to have opened a new chapter in motorsports, however, kicking off a season that stands a fighting chance of bringing the disenchanted back to the fold. Follow the jump to find out why.


Gallery: 2009 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season kicks off with a kick in Australia

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season kicks off with a kick in Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian grand rixAustralianGrandRixbrawnbrawn gpBrawnGpf1formula 1formula oneFormula1FormulaOnegrand prixGrandPrixMon, 30 Mar 2009 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Honda team Brawn GP dominates pre-season F1 tests]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/ex-honda-team-brawn-gp-dominates-pre-season-f1-tests/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/ex-honda-team-brawn-gp-dominates-pre-season-f1-tests/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/ex-honda-team-brawn-gp-dominates-pre-season-f1-tests/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for gallery of Brawn GP testing at Catalunya

Normally an off-season Formula One test session wouldn't be worth reporting to anyone but the most hard-core racing fans, but the motorsport press was shocked to see which team has emerged at the front of the pack at this week's official session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Only a couple of weeks after announcing their new ownership and return to the grid for this season, it was Brawn GP that embarrassed the heavy-hitters and lead the field, running with a plain livery while strategizing sponsorship deals and posting lap times a full second ahead of Ferrari, the next fastest team in testing.

While some postulated that Jenson Button's lap times were nothing more than a publicity stunt, running on a reduced fuel load to lap faster and garner attention, analysts note that the team was up at the front the whole way through their full Grand Prix weekend simulation. Even Fernando Alonso says the former Honda team's performance is for real, while Ross Brawn, the mastermind technical director turned team owner, credits the team's performance to the priority placed on developing the new car last year under the Honda banner.

Meanwhile, returning champions McLaren-Mercedes, which is supplying Brawn's engines in exchange for Honda's severance cash, languished at the back of the field, while Toyota, which is tipped to follow Honda out of the sport if they don't win their first race this year, ran at the front with Ferrari and BMW. With new regulations in place, we knew things would get shaken up, but Brawn GP was probably the last team we expected to seize the reins. Click below to view a new image gallery, and follow the jump for video footage.


Gallery: Brawn GP at Catalunya, March 2009


[Source: F1-Live]

Continue reading Ex-Honda team Brawn GP dominates pre-season F1 tests

Ex-Honda team Brawn GP dominates pre-season F1 tests originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn grand prixbrawn racingbrawngpbrawngpteamBrawnGrandPrixBrawnRacinghondahonda f1HondaF1jenson buttonJensonButtonross brawnRossBrawnrubens barichellorubens barrichelloRubensBarichelloRubensBarrichelloThu, 12 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda F1 Roundup: Brawn, Schumacher and Ferrari]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/honda-f1-roundup-brawn-schumacher-and-ferrari/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/honda-f1-roundup-brawn-schumacher-and-ferrari/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/honda-f1-roundup-brawn-schumacher-and-ferrari/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



F1 teams change hands all the time, but when a major manufacturer pulls out of the sport, it's bound to trigger a rumor mill of tsunamic proportions. And that's exactly what's been going on in the motorsport press following Honda's announcement to cancel its F1 program.

First came rumors that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was to buy the team, but those reports were later denied. Ferrari, meanwhile, has confirmed discussions with Ross Brawn, formerly the Scuderia's technical director and now head of the Honda F1, over the prospect of supplying engines to the team if and when a new buyer is found. (Last year Ferrari supplied both Toro Rosso and Force India, but the latter has switched to Mercedes for the upcoming season.) Brawn and his colleague Nick Fry are reportedly speaking to a number of potential buyers (Prodrive's David Richards possibly still among them), but while the asking price for the team must be lower than usual given the economy and Honda's motivation to sell, sources don't expect the list includes any automakers. (For our part, we wouldn't be surprised to see Hyundai make an offer.) Some reports suggested that Michael Schumacher - with whom Brawn built a close relationship during their tenure at Ferrari, and who races occasionally with Honda on two wheels - could get involved, but Schumi's own spokespeople have denied the rumors. For his part, Brawn has stated his number one priority is securing the jobs of the team's many employees, but even that might prove to be a tall order during these troubled times.

[Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty]

Honda F1 Roundup: Brawn, Schumacher and Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnbrawn honda ferraribrawn schumacherBrawnHondaFerrariBrawnSchumacherferrarihondahonda f1honda ferrariHondaF1HondaFerrariross brawnRossBrawnschumacherschumacher hondaSchumacherHondascuderia ferrariscuderia hondaScuderiaFerrariScuderiaHondaWed, 14 Jan 2009 06:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferrari F1 guru Ross Brawn defects to Honda]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/ferrari-f1-guru-ross-brawn-defects-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/ferrari-f1-guru-ross-brawn-defects-to-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/12/ferrari-f1-guru-ross-brawn-defects-to-honda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When Ross Brawn took a sabbatical last year from Scuderia Ferrari, the rumors started flying. Would he return to Ferrari? Would he sign with another team? Or would he retire from racing altogether? The rumor mill can stop churning now, as the mastermind behind Ferrari's dominance of the Formula One circuit, it has been announced, is heading over to Honda.

When Schumacher moved to Ferrari from Bennetton ten years ago, Brawn came with him and took up the position of technical director, the number-two spot on any F1 team, and together the pair built the team up. But when Schumacher retired, Brawn took a sabbatical, leaving his options open for a return. Some pundits speculated that Brawn would return to Maranello and take over management of the team from overworked CEO Jean Todt, but in the post-Schumacher era, Brawn will be hawking his wears elsewhere.

Following the revelation, Ferrari announced some changes of its own, promoting Stefano Domenicali from sporting director to team principal, allowing Todt to focus on the bigger picture. Several other changes in the technical staff were also announced.

Honda, meanwhile, has one of the biggest budgets in F1, but has seen little success in return. This past season, the Honda team has been embarrassed by the comparative success of their B-team Super Aguri... along with just about every other team, big and small. With Brawn behind the proverbial wheel, however, Honda is bound to become a force with which to be reckoned.

[Source: Autosport]

Ferrari F1 guru Ross Brawn defects to Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawnchiefdirectorf1ferrariformula oneFormulaOnefryhondajeannickprincipalrossstaffteamtechnicaltodtMon, 12 Nov 2007 17:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Changing Direction: management changes at Ferrari]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/changing-direction-management-changes-at-ferrari/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/changing-direction-management-changes-at-ferrari/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/24/changing-direction-management-changes-at-ferrari/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Only a few days after the end of the 2006 season, reports are surfacing indicating that there's going to be a real shake-up in the management at Ferrari, primarily at the "Scuderia" F1 racing division, but also affecting the road car division as well.

It's been long expected that Technical Director Ross Brawn would retire with Michael Schumacher. It was Schumi that brought him in to direct the team, and insiders expect him to announce his retirement or "sabbatical" later this week. Nigel Stepney has been serving as race & test director, but with Brawn's departure, he could be considered for the promotion. Although Stepney didn't positively confirm that Brawn is leaving, he did indicate that some senior management are, and that the vacancies are likely to be filled from within "the family". Another candidate for the technical director post is Ross Brawn's protégé Luca Baldisseri, Schumacher's race engineer.

Meanwhile, team principal Jean Todt is expected to move away from directly managing the race team. Todt was promoted to Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo's position when Luca was promoted to chairman of the Fiat group, but Jean has been holding on to both posts in the interim, supervising both road and race divisions. (Some have suggested that Todt could eventually replace Max Mosley as head of the FIA.) Sporting Director Stefano Domenicali is tipped to succeed Todt as team principal, with Industrial Director Mario Almondo moving up to sporting director.

Together with the arrival of Kimi Raikkonen to take Michael Schumacher's seat as the champ retires, these management shifts amount to big changes at Ferrari. For the Scuderia, that could mean an adjustment period of another year before the team can seriously contend for the championship. Time will tell.

[Source: F1i.com]

Changing Direction: management changes at Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Oct 2006 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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