f1buzz.net

Ross Brawn, Team Principal of Honda, has said he is “really optimistic” about the chances of the team finding a buyer by the end of the month. Speaking to Italian paper La Gazzetta dello Sport, he also said Honda have approached Ferrari about the possibility of them supplying engines for the team in 2009.

But while other teams are preparing to launch their 2009 cars in the coming weeks, Honda faces “at least six weeks of work” integrating whatever engine they decide to go with. Honda have already said they will not supply the team with engines in 2009. So once again, even if Honda survive to race in 2009, it will be another “transitional” season for the team. Brawn said:

We are studying a package of evolutions for 2010, when we aim to step up the ladder. Next year will remain for us a transitional one.

How many years does the loyal Jenson Button have to wait to get a car deserving of his talents? It was clear early last year that Honda’s RA108 just wasn’t fast enough but with Ross Brawn signing on and the 2009 reboot of the rules I was hoping Honda (and Jenson in particular) could be competetive in 2009. Unfortunately it seems like Button’s career will be put on hold for another year. Bernie Ecclestone thinks he should hold out for a seat in a top team:

He should be in any of the top teams. I’d rather see him wait to get a seat in one of those than race in an uncompetitive car.

He might not have a choice.

Ferrari will be the first to reveal their 2009 car on Monday 12 January when Felipe Massa will drive it round the Ferrari test track at Fiorano. Although Ferrari will be first to launch their car it won’t be in legal race spec for the opening Grand Prix in Australia on 29 March. Ferrari have been having issues with their KERS development and it is still unclear whether they will start the season with the device or introduce it later in the year.

This kicks of a busy couple of weeks of car releases from most of the other teams. Toyota is next on 15 January, closely followed by McLaren a day later then Williams and Renault on 19 January. BMW will release their car on 20 January while Red Bull has chosen to wait until 9 February to launch their car. This should allow Mark Webber time to recover fully from his broken leg before testing the car.

There are still no official dates for Force India and Toro Rosso but it is expected they will appear in early March. Both teams are dependent on technology from other constructors; Toro Rosso from it’s sister team Red Bull and Force India is using a Mercedes Benz engine and will run with a KERS system and other parts supplied by McLaren, including a full gearbox and hydraulic system.

As for Honda, they continue to develop their 2009 car but unless a buyer can be found soon it’s unlikely we’ll see them on the grid in Melbourne.