Autoblog

Aldo Costa joins Brawn and Schumacher at Mercedes GP

Noah Joseph — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Mercedes-Benz

Back in the day, one team dominated Formula One like no other before it and none since. Michael Schumacher was driving, Ross Brawn was running the team and Aldo Costa was designing the cars. It was a winning combination, to say the least, one that yielded seven world championships. That was at Scuderia Ferrari. And now the three are together again at Mercedes GP.

Brawn and Schumacher working together at Mercedes is nothing new - it's a familiar relationship that has found its roots again under the Silver Star for the second season running. The news is the addition of Costa.

The Italian engineer was recently sacked by Ferrari after years of service during which time Costa had ascended to the role of technical director - one step below team principal and in charge of pretty much everything this side of commercial and political aspects. Ferrari let him go out of dissatisfaction over its (and therefor his) performance in recent years, but his former boss Brawn was quick to scoop him up.

Costa will now be serving as engineering director, staying back at HQ to design and develop the cars, as part of a new team that also includes ex-Red Bull man Geoff Willis as technology director (aerodynamics and electronics) and Bob Bell, formerly of Renault, as technical director, overseeing both. Official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Aldo Costa joins Brawn and Schumacher at Mercedes GP

Aldo Costa joins Brawn and Schumacher at Mercedes GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Matthew James, a 14-year-old boy in the UK, was born with a rare condition - his left arm stops at the wrist and he has no left hand. He had been fitted with a simple electric clamp of sorts that allowed him the freedom to pick up small objects but little else.

Young Matthew is also a big fan of motorsports, and he went to the same school as Mercedes GP head Ross Brawn. That connection was enough to pique Brawn's interest when Matthew wrote the team a letter asking them to consider gifting him a new i-LIMB Pulse bionic hand from Touch Bionics.

Brawn took a personal interest in the young boy, and he contacted Touch Bionics to work out a deal. In exchange for access to technology services provided by Mercedes GP, Touch Bionics agreed to give Matthew the new hand he so desperately wanted.

Oh, and the F1 team also got to put its logo on Matthew's new bionic hand. Not bad for a £35,000 investment... Check out video of the i-LIMB hand in action after the break.

Continue reading Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video]

Teen writes letter to Mercedes F1, scores world's most advanced bionic hand [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

Mercedes GP W02 - Click above for high-res image gallery

What the heck happened to Mercedes GP last season? The team showed at least as much promise as the three (Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull) that out-paced it at every turn - with Michael Schumacher coming out of retirement to drive for the defending championship team now backed by full factory support - but barely proved capable of keeping pace.

This could be our answer right here. When Brawn and company realized their transitioning team wasn't capable of mounting a serious challenge for the title, it shifted focus mid-season from the W01 they were using to the new W02 for this season. It was the same sort of strategy Brawn undertook when the team was still under the Honda name, and it netted both titles the following year.

Can the new W02 follow the same path? Is it better suited (along with the new Pirelli spec tires) towards Schumacher's driving style? Or will wingman Nico Rosberg prove capable of getting the better of him once again? Only one way to find out, and we'll all be watching. In the meantime, follow the jump for the full press release and the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes GP W02

[Source: Mercedes GP]

Continue reading Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow

Second Time's a Charm: Mercedes GP unveils its new W02 Silver Arrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brawn warns Mercedes not to supply more teams with engines

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz

With a rapidly expanding grid and only four engine suppliers left in the series, the burden on each is getting mighty heavy. Renault only supplies its own team and Red Bull, but four teams are running under Cosworth power, three under Ferrari and another three run Mercedes engines. Those parameters are expected to change next season as Red Bull looks for alternatives to Renault engines, which have proven an unreliable liability so far this season, and have been known to be keen on Mercedes power. But at least one team principal thinks having the same engine as his main rivals would be a big mistake.

That one team principal is Ross Brawn, mastermind of numerous world championships. Thing is, Brawn's not the head of just any customer team. He runs Mercedes' own F1 effort, which runs the same engines as those that the German manufacturer supplies to both McLaren and Force India. Hardly amenable to offsetting his employers' considerable costs, Brawn has said that Mercedes should think "long and hard" before even considering supplying engines to a fourth team. And there's little doubt as to who he's referring to.

[Source: Autosport]

Brawn warns Mercedes not to supply more teams with engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes GP launches inaugural W01 challenger in Valencia

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

2010 Mercedes GP W01 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've seen the mock-up, now it's time for the real thing. After having previewed the team livery on last year's championship-winning Brawn GP car (that's both championships, thank you very much), the newly christened Mercedes GP car - dubbed MGP W01 - was officially unveiled today in Valencia, where half the F1 teams are gathered right now for the first official test session of the season.

The livery has already revealed both the color scheme - reminiscent of the famous pre-war Silver Arrow grand prix cars of yore and lore - as well as the successful poaching of Malaysian state oil company (and longtime Sauber sponsor) Petronas. The biggest surprise, then, (to insiders at least) is the nose design, which reportedly cribs from the snout on the Red Bull car that challenged the team for top honors last year.

Nico Rosberg is taking the car out for its debut test today ahead of teammate Michael Schumacher, who will be driving a contemporary F1 car for the first time in three years today. With the Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Mercedes cars now revealed, stay tuned for the rest, and check out the press release after the jump and the first batch of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes GP W01

[Source: Mercedes GP]

Continue reading Mercedes GP launches inaugural W01 challenger in Valencia

Mercedes GP launches inaugural W01 challenger in Valencia originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes GP Petronas unveils 2010 F1 livery

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

2010 Mercedes GP Petronas livery - click above for high-res gallery

While many parents get their baby's first set of booties dipped in bronze, Mercedes GP Petronas have gone and dipped their whole new baby in silver. After taking over the Formula One championship-winning Brawn GP team at the end of the 2009 season, Mercedes-Benz renamed the team and got to work on a 2010 car. While that new MGP W01 won't be officially unveiled until testing at Valencia begins, the team has just shown off the car's new livery on the '09 car.

The new color scheme debuted at a special event held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, and will show up on the new car February 1 in Valencia. The new liquid metal hue recalls the classic Silver Arrows grand prix cars of Mercedes and Auto Union from Germany's glory days of racing. And hard as it is to believe, it's been 55 years since Mercedes had its own racing team.

The MGP W01 will be piloted by Nico Rosberg and some guy named Mike during the 2010 season. Seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will of course be rejoining team boss Ross Brawn, reviving a partnership that resulted in seven World Championship trophies for Schumi before his retirement in 2006.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes GP Petronas livery

[Source: Autosport | Images: Mercedes-Benz]

Mercedes GP Petronas unveils 2010 F1 livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Schumacher reportedly says his neck is fully recovered, F1 return a go

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Racing

At least now we know he'll have no excuses: Michael Schumacher says his neck is completely healed after last year's motorcycle incident, and he feels "extremely fresh and fit." The three-year sabbatical he's had since retiring at the end of 2006 has recharged his batteries and his competitive fire.

Interestingly, though, he says the last two years in the sport - the two years in a row he lost the title to Fernando Alonso - were even more demanding on him because of "living under constant observation," and he was glad to get out. But the pressure is already all on him and the season is still six weeks away. He has stated he wants both Championships, and team principal Ross Brawn said he'd put his money on Schumacher. Apparently, however, he'll need teammate Nico Rosberg's car number in order to do that...

[Source: Autocar | Image: Malcolm Griffiths/GP2 Media]

Schumacher reportedly says his neck is fully recovered, F1 return a go originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: BBC interviews Schumacher about his return to Mercedes-Benz F1

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities

Michael Schumacher talks about his return to F1 racing - Click above to watch the video

Let the rumors rest -- Michael Schumacher is back. As we reported earlier this morning, it appeared he was all set to sign with Mercedes-Benz, and now the deal is done. The newly named Mercedes GP Petronas team (nee Brawn GP) finally announced that they have signed the soon-to-be-41-year-old, seven-time World Champion to drive for the Silver Arrows team in 2010, and the BBC has already tracked him down for an extensive interview. Although most closely associated with Ferrari for returning that legendary marque to the winners circle following a decades-old drought, Schumacher does have a history with Mercedes having started his top level driving career via their junior program back in 1990 competing in Group C and DTM racing.

Besides being reunited with Ross Brawn - the man who brought him every one of his seven championships - Michael brings just a bit more experience to the Mercedes F1 team with his 248 starts, 91 wins, 154 podiums, and 68 pole positions. And even after a three-year layoff, the consensus seems to be that he hasn't missed a step. As you may remember, Michael almost made his comeback for Ferrari last year following Felipe Massa's unfortunate accident in Hungary, but he was sidelined due to neck problems related to a motorcycle racing crash. Schui has been tuning up with some karting action, most recently in Las Vegas, where he was competing against some of the best racers in the world, including fellow F1 pilots Nelson Piquet, Jr. and Sebastien Buemi.

MS will be joining fellow German Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, making the team an all-German affair. The F1 driving contract is said to be worth nearly $9.9 million to Schumi for 2010. Michael, for his part, says he has high hopes for returning to the podium right away and in fact plans to grab another championship trophy next year. Why else would he bother, right? It should be a fascinating season. Click through to the jump to watch the BBC interview Schumacher talking about his decision to return to racing and read the official statement from Mercedes GP.

[Sources: YouTube via BBC Sport, Brawn GP]

Continue reading VIDEO: BBC interviews Schumacher about his return to Mercedes-Benz F1

VIDEO: BBC interviews Schumacher about his return to Mercedes-Benz F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren's Whitmarsh reportedly elected to replace Montezemolo as FOTA chairman

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

There's only so many chairs one man can sit in at once. But Luca di Montezemolo has made an art out of pushing the limits. In addition to serving as chairman of both Ferrari and the Fiat group, the hereditary nobleman was, until recently at least, also chairing the Italian Confindustria employers' federation and the FIEG editorial organization. But something's got to give, and at the end of this year he's stepping down from his role as the founding chairman of the Formula One Teams Association.

In his place, according to the latest reports, will serve one Martin Whitmarsh, recently promoted to team principal of the McLaren team after Ron Dennis went off to concentrate on the emerging road car division. Meanwhile, Red Bull chief Christian Horner was reportedly elected to chair the Sporting Working Group while Ross Brawn stays on as head of the Technical Working Group within FOTA. The meeting of the team principals took place in Monaco on the heels of the F1 Business Forum and the Formula 1 Commission meeting.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

McLaren's Whitmarsh reportedly elected to replace Montezemolo as FOTA chairman originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising

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.

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Could Ross Brawn lose his license for speeding?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Celebrities

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

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Mercedes-Benz

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.

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Officially Official: Honda sells F1 team to Ross Brawn, Brawn GP launched

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

It's official: Honda has turned over their Formula 1 team to former Team Principal Ross Brawn. Although the terms of the transaction haven't been disclosed, Brawn picks up the whole operation in the sale. While there were suggestions the new team might be named Brackley after the team's HQ locale, it will be eponymously named Brawn GP. Considering the cars feature McLaren-Mercedes powerplants, we weren't surprised when we didn't see the word "Honda" in the name.

Along with the new name comes a new website, BrawnGP.com, where you can find a small gallery of the GP cars, drivers and Ross. The cars have already been testing in the UK at Silverstone and are expected to test in Spain as well before the season opener in Melbourne on March 29. Drivers have been confirmed as Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, assuring some continuity and experience for the new-old team. It will definitely be an interesting F1 season. Press releases from both companies are after the jump.

Continue reading Officially Official: Honda sells F1 team to Ross Brawn, Brawn GP launched

Officially Official: Honda sells F1 team to Ross Brawn, Brawn GP launched originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda F1 team to be taken over by Brawn Sport

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

The former Honda F1 team has a white knight, and his name is Ross Brawn. The man originally brought in by former team principal Nick Fry to help turn the struggling team around has ended up taking control of it, along with four partners thought to include Fry and financial director Nigel Kerr. Brawn and Fry have been reported to have an equal share in the team, but it will most certainly be run by Brawn.

Some reports claim that the team will be called Brawn Sport, while others say it will be called Brackley F1 - Brackley being the site of the team's UK headquarters. Whatever it's called, the team has been funded by an advance on its Formula 1 television rights money, and Honda. The carmaker decided it would be better and cheaper to give the new team money than to close up shop and pay several hundred severance packages.

Jenson Button has taken a pay cut to remain with the team, but his teammate hasn't been named. With recent events, Bruno Senna is thought to be out of the running so that Rubens Barrichello can provide continuity and experience. The team's Mercedes engines have already been paid for and installed, and a shakedown is scheduled for this Thursday at Silverstone. For F1 fans, it means there'll be another team in what is looking like a fascinating season.

[Source: Daily F1 | Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty]

REPORT: Honda F1 team to be taken over by Brawn Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda strikes an Accord, may stay in F1 after all

Noah Joseph — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

With the start of the 2009 Formula One championship approaching, reports from the motorsport press are suggesting that Honda's F1 team may be starting this season after all. Honda had announced it was withdrawing from the sport after last season, leaving team leaders Nick Fry and Ross Brawn to look for new funding. And if those reports are to be believed, they may have found it. Some of it, anyway.

Without Honda's active participation, the team is speculated to run customer engines supplied by Mercedes-Benz. The task of securing financial backing, however, was made all the more difficult by team sponsor Petrobras' decision to withdraw from Formula One as well. But sources suggest that Honda may have found it more cost-effective to help keep the team afloat for a while longer rather than having to offer its employees severance packages. Additional funding is said to have come from the personal backers of Bruno Senna, nephew of the late great Ayrton Senna, who was tipped to partner Jenson Button at the team for this season before Honda pulled the plug. Lastly, reports indicate that F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone may be backing the orphaned team out of his own business interests. But the $30 million in funding reported may only be enough to get the former Honda team on the grid for the first four races in Australia, Malaysia, China and Bahrain, which could at least give Ross and Nick some more time to find new patrons and sponsors.

[Source: F1-Live and GrandPrix.com]

Honda strikes an Accord, may stay in F1 after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda F1 Roundup: Brawn, Schumacher and Ferrari

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Ferrari, Rumormill

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.

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Ferrari may supply engines for Honda's ex-F1 team

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda, Ferrari

Ross Brawn, who joined the Honda F1 team as Technical Director in 2007 after an extremely successful stint across the paddock at Ferrari, has said that the now-ownerless ex-Honda F1 team he manages would like to ink a deal with its Italian competitor for engines to power its Formula 1 racers. Now that Honda has officially pulled its factory support from the program, the team will need a good, reliable powerplant if it has any chance remaining competitive, and Ferrari already supplies engines to Scuderia Toro Rosso and Force India in addition to its own Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro factory effort.

Regardless of what powerplant Brawn's team chooses, it isn't likely to get an early shot at testing. At this point, the team is just looking to stay on the track as it attempts to find itself a new buyer and any success found on the track for the '09 season would just be icing on the cake. Thanks for the tip, Eric!

[Source: F1 Fanatic - Photo: Tim Wang CC 2.0]

Ferrari may supply engines for Honda's ex-F1 team originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Psych! Honda F1 not being bought by Mexican billionaire

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Honda

Have you heard the one about the former F1 team that gets bought by the Mexican billionaire? Yeah, well, we heard it, too, and it's completely untrue. Not only has Carlos Slim has not bought Honda, but a spokesman makes clear that "There is no deal for the Honda team. There is neither agreement nor negotiations."

Nevertheless, Honda says it is leaving the team in good shape and everything is still moving forward. Team chief Ross Brawn said "We have enough funding to get us through to Melbourne and we still have a competitive package." Brawn also said so many folks are snooping around that they've got to sort the jokers from the serious players. Cue Dave Richards...

[Source: Eurosport]

Psych! Honda F1 not being bought by Mexican billionaire originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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