(from autosport) Honda Racing boss Ross Brawn says he is in no rush to finalise his team's driver line-up for next year - because his main focus is on lifting the performance of their car. Although the team have privately set their sights on capturing Fernando Alonso, Brawn has said that sorting out driver contracts for 2009 is not a priority as he works on getting the Japanese car manufacturer back to the front of the grid. When asked by autosport.com about the time frame for making a decision on drivers, Brawn said: "We are in discussions, and it will evolve during the summer. Our priority is clearly to get a better car for next year. So things are moving along but there is no desperate rush. "I think we have got two very good drivers, so he first thing we have got to do is get a decent car. When we get a good car that will give our drivers the opportunity to show what they can do, and we can take stock then. I don't think the drivers are the problem." With Button almost certain to be re-signed for next year, teammate Rubens Barrichello's hopes will depend on the success of Honda's attempts to lure a star driver like Alonso. But, with Barrichello having performed so well in recent races especially with his third place finish in Silverstone the Brazilian may yet convince his bosses that he is worth sticking with for another year. Brawn, in particular, believes Barrichello is an improved driver from when the pair worked together at Ferrari. "He's possibly better," explained Brawn. "Out of the shadow of Michael (Schumacher) he has recognised the greater scope that Michael brought to the job. Michael was exceptional and any driver racing in the same team as Michael had a massive challenge. "I think Rubens did a great job of coping with that, but he doesn't have to cope with it any more and it's really opened things up for him a lot more. He is possibly a better driver than when I was at Ferrari."
I think that is the most logical prediction as to where Fred will end up. The ************ is nonsense and Honda should be a lot better car by then.
+1 Kubica is free this year, is younger and can be groomed even more. Has clearly shown development skills with this new BMW and is outpacing his very experienced team mate by a wide wide margin. Kubica is fast and available after this year. Alonso probably stays at Renault or takes BIG Honda money to leave and drive there. This article sounds like he is in contact with Honda. I bet its tough to turn down working with Ross. I think he and Alonso would do well and we can bet FA is the #1 if he goes there. Poor Jenson. What will become of him. Does he go to Renault?? Fun to speculate. The recent bank deal is separate from Alonso and was when he was at Mclaren. FA left and the bank stayed with Mclaren until its contract was up. Ferrari gives the Spanish bank more exposure. Kimi will drive through 2009. If FM goes I bet they get Kubica. Fun to speculate of course
I can't see alonso going to honda. they have been among the most uncompetitive cars on the track for the past two years. Toyota has plenty of money and thanks to jarno has been fighting for points consistently this year and seems a more logical choice to me. Even RBR would look more attractive IMO. All of this is irrelevant come 2010 you're going to see Alonso in a ferrari, possibly 2009 if Kimi calls it quits.
I agree that Honda better show a much better car, or no way Alonso would go there. Of course, so much is going to change with the loss of the aero that who is to know. Right now the Honda is an example of how to flush development money down the toilet.
Banco Santander follows Fernando and vice versa... We all know for sure where Santander is going, now it's just a matter of time before the other announcement is made...
ferrari and honda should exchange drivers. JB to Ferrari and Massa to honda. It would be fun to see SB in Ferrari as well.
Honda needs to put it's money in that POS car before they spend it on another driver. I don't think Senna or Schumacher could get anymore out of it right now. The drivers are not the problem at this time. But that's just my opinion
+1 Alonso already experiences a painful season in a soso car. He doesn't want to go backwards, he wants to move up to win again. There are only 2 options, BMW or Ferrari. We already know where his sponsor is going to; it's not BMW. Case closed.
Good point. Why would Ferrari give Massa an extended contract though? Raikkonen already said he will drive for Ferrari next season, so why the extension for Massa?
Remember this....Alonso will never ever drive for Ferrari......he is not wanted or needed. A few in here with wishfull thinking.
One word, Vodafone. Sort of makes your theory, not one. In case you do not remember, Vodafone demanded of McLaren that Alonso be signed on as driver before they left Ferrari. Story is Vodafone is not happy with Alonso's method of departing McLaren. Vodafone is not chasing Alonso, they are staying at McLaren. I can not see that Banco Santander is any different. Makes sense they choose Ferrari, irrespective of the driver and ASSUMING Ferrari wants them, incredible visibility for a sponsor. Santander is a major presence in Latin America. I saw them on every corner the last 10 days. But I also saw Renault dealerships nearby. Could be Santander is chasing Massa. 2009 is like an entirely new racing series, no one at this time can be sure who is going up or down.
i think it will be nice for a Brawn-Alonso combo. could be interesting, with the new set of rules next year, you may never know
Look at when that happened: - Before the Interlagos GP where they so desperately needed Massa's cooperation to clinch the title. - Last chance for Todt to get it done before departing the scene. And hedging their bets might be another reason as contracts can always be broken.
I really wouldn't mind that , but would FA really want to be in it for the long haul. I would think he has had enough struggling with Renault, but as you say Brian, interesting.
Thanks Steve. i would really like 3-5 teams fighting for wins at every race next year. BMW has joined the big 2 this season, and look how interesting it is at mid point, 3 drivers tied on points, with Kubik 2 pts behind. i really hope to see Brawn do well at Honda, bring out the best in Jenson next season, and land Alonso. Alonso's feedback for improving the car is priceless.
Honda Racing boss Ross Brawn has revealed that the team will retain both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello as its drivers for next season. The experienced pair's contracts with the Japanese-owned squad expire at the end of the current campaign, and while Button has been expected for some time to sign on for 2009, there have been doubts about 37-year-old Rubens Barrichellos future, with Fernando Alonso mooted as a possible high-profile replacement. But although a contract extension has yet to be confirmed with either Button or Barrichello, Brawn says the team plans to keep an unchanged driver line-up for the fourth consecutive season. from ITV
The Prima-Donna Alonso is damaged goods. Too bad his cut-throat tactics cut too many throats. No-one wants to be next.
+100 Alonso has been on a downward spiral for the last 18 months....the pitlane is now well aware of his performance and attitude, both on and off track. For '09..... - Brawn isn't going to put his "neck on the block" to satisfy Alonso's ego. - Montezemolo is said to favour the hiring of Kubica to replace Raikkonen. - Webber/Vettel is a good yet, inexpensive pairing at Red Bull. Alonso - Renault, IRL or retirement?
From F1Live.com Honda wants long-term Alonso deal - report Tue 22 Jul, 03:13 PM Honda is stepping up its efforts to lure Fernando Alonso to the Japanese team for 2009 and beyond, according to a British newspaper on Tuesday. The Daily Telegraph says that while team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry are not interested in a single-season deal as has been speculated, they see the Spaniard as the ideal teammate for Jenson Button going forwards. "I don't think it's anything specific to Fernando but in my view it's too short a period to be able to integrate a driver and get full benefit," Fry said at Hockenheim, when asked about rumours linking Alonso with Honda only for 2009. The Telegraph claims Fry and Brawn have "made Alonso a name-your-price offer" for a longer-term deal, even though Brawn answered "yes" at Hockenheim when asked if Honda plans to use its current driver lineup in 2009. The very next day, he backtracked, insisting "nothing is certain" in terms of next year's team. Brackley-based Honda, although an under-performer particularly this year and last, has resources to match top teams McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari. Moreover, it is no secret that the team has effectively shelved the 2008 season in the hope of capitalising fully on the major regulations changes for 2009. "The plan is really designing the car Ross wants for next year, and this year is about getting everything as Ross wants it in the way the team operates," Fry, team CEO, confirmed.
Honda enter bid for Fernando Alonso to wrest initiative from Ferrari's grasp Honda have stepped up the charm offensive to woo two-time world champion Fernando Alonso from the clutches of Ferrari. The Japanese manufacturer see the Spaniard, currently at Renault, as the man to spearhead their challenge for the world crown alongside Jenson Button in 2009, when a raft of rule changes are set to rip up the form book. It is understood that team principal Ross Brawn, the man who guided Michael Schumacher to world titles at Benetton and Ferrari, and chief executive Nick Fry have made Alonso a name-your-price offer. Honda are one of the few teams on the Formula One grid that have greater financial muscle than Ferrari. And in Brawn they have a team principal of greater authority and championship-winning experience than any at the helm at Maranello. While Honda accept that Ferrari remain favourites for his signature, they believe that the depth of resource in Japan and Brackley to throw at the rule changes that come into force next year could be persuasive. Though the parties deny it is the case, it has been reported that Ferrari and Alonso have agreed a deal for 2010 when world champion Kimi Raikkonen is widely tipped to retire. Alonso, disappointed at the performance of Renault this season, is weighing options for 2009. Honda are not interested in a temporary arrangement and hope to convince the youngest race winner and world champion in F1 history that his future would be in better hands with them. Brawns role is pivotal. He brought with him from Ferrari a body of knowledge that embraced the most successful period in the Scuderias history. He knows how championships are won and has set Honda on a course to repeat that success. Brawn has made a comprehensive study of Hondas design processes and introduced changes that he believes will thrust the Brackley-based team into championship contention ahead of schedule. He has been helped by the radical changes introduced for 2009, which will see a huge reduction in aerodynamic influence and a return to slick tyres. No team in the paddock has more resource to throw at the changes. The appointment of Alonso would see the Spaniard paired once more with a British driver just 12 months after the catastrophic failure at McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton. Honda do not see that as a problem. Indeed they believe Button to be the ideal foil for Alonso, whose arrival they claim would resurrect the fortunes of the 28-year-old Briton. By Kevin Garside
I have to wonder about Honda. When they were an engine supplier, they never missed a beat. But this whole team thing seems to elude them. Despite their budget and history, I wouldn't be too eager to jump on-board if I was a driver.
