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Team staff at Honda's Brackley headquarters have been told to prepare for imminent winter tests in Spain and subsequently the beginning of the 2009 season in Australia. The team has reportedly undergone a management buyout after two months of intense work on a rescue package by senior managers.
Sources close to the Brackley-based outfit confirmed to the BBC last night that the deal is going ahead and that the team will conduct a “shakedown” test of their new car at Silverstone next Thursday. "Everything's positive -- it's all going ahead. Contracts are agreed and signed. It's with the lawyers," a source told reporters.
The management buyout is being led by Ross Brawn, the team principal and former Ferrari technical director, and will be funded by a combination of money from Honda, Bernie Ecclestone, and other commercial sponsors. It remains unclear under what name the team will operate or in what livery the cars will race.
It is understood the 2009 car has been adapted to fit a Mercedes Benz V8 engine and will commence testing in Spain on March 9. "There's no way we'd go to any test without an engine deal," the source explained. "If we're going to Jerez, it means it's a done deal."
As for the drivers, Jenson Button is all but confirmed, however, the previous speculation that Bruno Senna had inked a contract to make his formula one debut with the team are confirmed as untrue.
Source: MotorAuthority.com
