There is speculation in today's press that Brawn is running out of steam because they are running out of money. If true it begs the question as to why they haven't signed more sponsors. You'd think that with their record (and Cinderella story) they'd be well placed to sign sponsors. Is it a matter of poor strategy on their part or is there just no sponsorship money out there? If the latter can it be written off to the poor economy or is it a matter of companies not being willing to become part of the on-going FIA-FOM-FOTA issues?
I couldn't say for sure if money is an issue or not really, but the team is still Honda back with Honda resorces and money (for this year only). And supposeably if what i've been reading in the papers is correct there are plenty of Sponsors that are intrested, i couldn't say why they haven't been announced, maybe dissagreement financially, and on how big a percentage a sponsor would have in the team? I don't honestly know, that just seems like it could be a problem for them. They wanted Richard Branson to take a bigger stake in the team and re-name it too, he's supposeably signed for another team so maybe they still want Virgin? These things do take a long time to go through, so they might have more sponsors finalised near the end of the season and towards next season.
Got any links to the source of the speculation Dave. IMO BrawnGP is a sponsers dream come true maybe they asking to much, or like you say The FOTA FIA war has made them jittery. So it's pornosMax's fault.
I saw it on Yahoo sports. I'm too lame to do a link FWIW the speculation comes from Villadelprat of Epsilon Euskadi
Your not lame mate.. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/16072009/58/villadelprat-says-brawn-money.html Anyways I'm not sure...yet..
here's the article that's on crash net Villadelprat: Brawn slump due to money running out Joan Villadelprat has suggested that the underlying reason behind Brawn GP's slump in competitiveness in the last two grands prix is the result of the funding beginning to run out and things do not look a great deal more hopeful for the races to come, he fears. Whilst chief rivals Red Bull Racing have notched up dominant one-two finishes in Britain and Germany, over the same period long-time world championship leader Jenson Button a man who looked untouchable until very recently has tallied a grand total of just seven points, and has seen his advantage at the top of the drivers' title chase whittled down to just 21 points with 80 remaining up for grabs between now and season's end, when he at one stage held a far more comfortable margin. Though the Mercedes-powered BGP 001 has undeniably suffered in the cooler conditions experienced at Silverstone and the Nürburgring, former Tyrrell, Benetton and Prost team manager Villadelprat whose own bid for an F1 entry slot in 2010 with Epsilon Euskadi was ultimately unsuccessful reckons that for the former Honda F1 outfit, money, or rather a distinct lack thereof, is very much the root of all evil. For Brawn, the solitude and isolation since the departure of Honda is beginning to weigh, the Spaniard wrote in his column for El Pais, arguing that the Brackley-based concern has now entered the 'second phase' of its newly-independent career at the highest level. They have obtained some sponsors, but none of significance. Virgin's contribution is modest, and they have already announced they will not be around in the next campaign. This is a problem, because there is no money to invest in the car. Until now they have lived on the money of Honda; even the developments presented in Barcelona were financed by the Japanese. This slowness in improvements is noticeable now in comparison with the other teams, especially Red Bull. Villadelprat also expressed his view that the harmony and balance within the squad may no longer be what it once was, following Rubens Barrichello's well-publicised post-race outburst in the wake of the German Grand Prix last weekend, in which the experienced Brazilian accused the team of 'making me lose the race'.
I have a bet going about Vettel beating Rubens on points. Brawn stalling on car development and Red Bull going flat out with the help of Mateschitz $ and Newey genius was part of the equation.
Well that's an easy bet because Rubens is too inconsitently quick. I would say that both Vettel and Webber will outscore Rubens.
My bet taker was still chuckling (as he put it) over my comments and was looking forward to winning his bet. That was BEFORE the German GP though...
Didn't I read somewhere recently that he no longer has the bottomless pit he had a while back? Sure, we know TR is for sale, but IIRC he wants a "partner" for RBR as well....... ? Returning to topic, I did think Ross would have a name on the car by now - Apparently, he was heavily "courted" in Monaco - Add a few months to get the deal sorted, and...... Where is it?.... Has he made his first mistake?...... Cheers, Ian
Ian either Ross has a silent partner (obvious suspects being Honda or Mercedes) or he needs funding. I don't see Honda providing cash since they got out of F1 for financial reasons. Mercedes is a possibility in that their name is on the engine but they keep quiet not wanting to offend (or violate contracts with) McLaren. As Desi said to Lucy Something here needs 'splaining.
I think the Red Bulls will pass the Brawn team ... infighting helps nobody and JB is not good enough to lift a not-superior-car into a winning position. Remember other teams are improving to, and taking points away from too ... Pete
All agreed. The question is whether Button has enough cushion to last to the end or not. I think he has because even when Brawn is mediocre, he still collects half the points of the winners.
Throw in even one DNF for JB, and things can start looking grim very quickly esp with both the Red Bull drivers consistently finishing at the top.
I agree that it seems very possible still. However, that pendulum swings both ways and Brawn seems to have built a more bulletproof car than the RBR this year (who have had quite a bit of trouble, just at all the right times.)
That's why it's important to note that both the RB drivers are consistently at the top and gaining on JB pretty equally. Not only that, throw in the fact that Ferrari and McLaren (and maybe Williams) are very quickly catching up, and it's all the more worse.
It is quite possible they are running out of cash. After all we are in the middle of the Great Recession and people in general are tight with their money.
Here are some options 1) they are overpricing their sponsor placement 2) people think they are a fluke, why sponsor now for a team that will be nothing next year 3) people feel that others are catching up after their great start 4) economy is bad
