Honda F1 team has a new name

Honda's F1 team will carry on into the next season and beyond after being bought out by a consortium led by Ross Brawn, an engineer who has worked for Ferrari, Benetton and Honda F1 - the latter since 2007.

Prior to the buyout, Brawn was outspoken in his views that whoever bought the Honda team would inherit a 'race winning' car, although that car will now be powered by a Mercedes-Benz 2.4-litre F1 engine for the 2009 season.

Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello have both confirmed they will stay with the team for the coming season too - and it's widely reported that Button will take a pay cut to help Brawn GP ride through the difficult financial circumstances of the credit crunch. Brawn said: "The vast experience and knowledge that both drivers bring to our team will prove invaluable as we aim to get up to speed in the shortest possible time to be ready for the first race of the season in Melbourne on 29 March."

Pre-season testing of the car will begin in Barcelona on 9th March before the team goes to Australia.

Mark Nichol