German Car Zone

Monster · 11-12-2007, 03:41 AM

I really hope it is not true, as a Ferrari fan I am absolutely gutted. Dam you Jean Todt dam you

Quote:

Former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn is expected to be unveiled as Honda's new team boss later today.

Brawn has been out of Formula One for just under a year now after opting to take a sabbatical away from Ferrari and the sport as he considered his options for the future.

And although the was talk of him returning to Ferrari at the end of this year, rumours claimed that depended on whether or not Jean Todt remained at the helm of the Scuderia - a position Brawn wanted.

However, with there being little sign of Todt retiring, Brawn has reportedly agreed to take up the role of new Honda team boss, with his unveiling expected later today.

The Daily Telegraph reports that 'Honda will unveil the former Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn, as team principal of their Formula One team today. The spectacular coup will see Nick Fry, who nominally held the role, continue in the post of chief executive.'

The arrival of Brawn, who is rated as one of the most sought after engineering gurus in F1, is likely to also put an end to Jenson Button's threat of leaving the team.

The newspaper continued saying that his 'appointment is seen by Fry and Honda as a critical step towards securing the World Championship for the first time as a constructor, as opposed to engine supplier, a role in which Honda previously enjoyed great success.'

It also alleged that Honda first approached the Englishman back in April but that he was 'unable to respond out of respect for his former employers in Italy, who had first call on his services.'

However, after talks with Ferrari broke down in October 'Fry's relentless pursuit throughout the summer eventually paid off when Brawn, who also attracted strong interest from Red Bull and Toyota, immediately confirmed his availability.

'The pair travelled to Japan earlier this month for talks with the Honda hierarchy in Tokyo. It is believed the deal was finally signed off in Japan last week.'

Honda, though, only told their drivers of Brawn's signing on Friday, opting to keep it a 'tight secret' until it was finalised.

News - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com

PanterroR · 11-12-2007, 04:23 AM

Haha! Unbelievable! Talk about surprises...

Monster · 11-12-2007, 05:06 AM

How can it go so wrong? After 10 years of solid relationship and so many successes, Ross deserved to be treated better by Ferrari. Ross was loyal to Ferrari, and then Jean Todt just turn around and gave him the middle finger salute. Dam you Todt, I hate you, as much as I hate Max.

Monster · 11-12-2007, 07:32 AM

It is offical now.. .dam it

Brawn joins Honda as new team boss

Quote:

Honda have confirmed the signing of former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as their new team boss.

After ten years as Ferrari technical director, Brawn took a break from the sport in 2007, however, he's set to make his return at the end of November having signed with Honda.

The team made the announced on Monday, revealing that Brawn would have full responsibility for designing, manufacturing, engineering and racing Honda's F1 car

The Englishman is now looking forward to the challenge of helping Honda grow into a Championship-winning team in much the same way he helped Ferrari to their recent successes.

"I am very excited to be joining Honda," Brawn said.

"Honda has a proud heritage in Formula One and the opportunity to help the team to realise its potential represents a fantastic new challenge for me in the sport.

"The team has already done a great job of giving due consideration to its future and has spent a good deal of time putting in place both people and first class engineering resources to achieve its ambitions.

"I look forward to working alongside what I know to be some very talented people and helping Honda to rediscover its winning ways."

Nick Fry, who continues as Chief Executive of the team, welcomed Brawn on board, saying he believes the technical guru could be the key to Honda finally becoming a Championship-winning team.

"One of my main tasks over the past six months has been to attract new talent to Honda and we have made a number of key appointments in the areas of aerodynamics, design, engineering, marketing and on the racing team," Fry said.

"Today's announcement that Ross Brawn is to join our team is a very satisfying conclusion to the process of refreshing and revitalising a strong and determined team. Ross obviously needs no introduction.

"His experience of winning World Championships in Formula One will be crucial as we seek to put Honda back into Championship contention and I am delighted that we will be working together to achieve that."

Brawn, 52, was part of the Ferrari team which won six successive Constructors' Championships from 1999 onwards and worked as Benetton's technical director when they won the same award in 1994 and 1995.

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,1895...877527,00.html

PanterroR · 11-12-2007, 07:34 AM

At least i expect Toyota to improve a lot.

Monster · 11-12-2007, 07:35 AM

Guess what happened to Todt.

Domenicali replaces Todt

Quote:

Just moments after Honda confirmed the signing of Ross Brawn, Ferrari have announced that Stefano Domenicali will replace Jean Todt.

The team revealed that sporting director Domenicali will take on the role of Director of the Gestione Sportiva as of January 1 2008. The position is currently held by Todt.

Other changes include technical director Mario Almondo stepping up into the role of operations director while Aldo Costa will become the new technical director.

Gilles Simon has been promoted to engine director.

Meanwhile it remains to be seen what role Todt will take at the team and whether he will stay on as the head of the Ferrari automobile company.

.News - Planet-F1 News - from planet-f1.com

Ferrari has lots of explaining to do, just what the hell are they thinking. If you mention to anyone at the end of last year that Ross is going to Honda in 2008, they will laugh to tears...... I bet many Ferrari fans are in tears right now

PanterroR · 11-12-2007, 07:36 AM

I've opened new thread about that, mate...

shonguiz · 11-12-2007, 07:45 AM

This was excpected as several magazines reported that he sold his house near maranello.

PC Valkyrie · 11-12-2007, 11:20 AM

Since I was very young, Honda has always been my favourite Japanese car manufacturer (because of cars like the Civic Si, Integra, S2000, NSX). Honda's success as an engine supplier in F1 with McLaren in the late 80's was also great for a Honda fan.

This is great news as I hope it will help bring Honda to the forefront of F1 competition in the next few years. It would be great to see Honda competitive with the Ferrari's/McLaren's/BMW's in the near future.

German Car Zone

Honda to unveil Brawn as new team boss