F1: Crisis-struck Honda try to lure Brawn

[Rory Phoulorie]

Monday, 09 April 2007

Apr.9 (GMM) As the Japanese squad's crisis deepened in Malaysia, Honda could be about to launch a multi-million dollar bid to sign Ferrari's former technical director Ross Brawn. British newspapers including the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail report that Brawn, currently on a 'sabbatical' but not under any contractual obligations to Ferrari, is the target of beleaguered Honda's team principal Nick Fry. "Brawn ... is the man Fry has identified to harness the vast resources available to the Japanese manufacturer," the Telegraph wrote. Jenson Button finished a lap down and twelfth at Sepang on Sunday, and revealed afterwards to the Daily Mail that Honda personnel have resorted to "shouting at each other" in frustration about the RA107's dismal lack of pace. "I've hit rock bottom," he said, as the British media who once hailed him as a future champion now turn their hype to McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton, who finished second in Malaysia. Button said: "We've been shouting at each other in frustration but there's no point in doing that now." The Telegraph revealed that Fry, arguing that 52-year-old Brawn's experience could be the missing link at the Brackley based team, has already held "high-level talks in Japan" about bidding for the Briton. It is understood that Brawn is currently on a fishing trip in New Zealand.

http://www.f1i.com/content/view/6960/1/

[Rory Phoulorie]

Ferrari urge Brawn to first talk to them

Tuesday 10th April 2007

Ferrari are hoping Ross Brawn talks to them first before entering negotiations with Honda about joining the Brackley squad.

Brawn, who is currently on a year-long sabbatical away from F1, is regarded as one of the best technical directors in the sport and played a huge role in all seven of Michael Schumacher's World titles.

However, the Englishman's future is as yet undecided as while some claim he's heading back to Ferrari as their team boss next season, others believe his days with the Scuderia are over.

One team who is hoping that is the situation is Honda, who are desperate to sign the technical director as they bid to turn around their faltering season.

However, Ferrari have urged Brawn to talk to them before making any decision on his future.

"Ross is obviously a free agent, but we would like to think there is a gentlemen's agreement that he will talk to us before deciding on his future plans," Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni told the Guardian.

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2049224,00.html