March 6th, 2009 by Warren Moore

Ross Brawn, Honda’s team Manager last season has acted as saviour and bought all the shares in the England-based team formula one team Honda Motor Co.

Brawn, who helped Schumacher win five straight driving titles as technical director at Ferrari, was hired to run the team 16 months ago. Before his 10 years with Ferrari, Brawn oversaw Schumacher’s back-to-back titles in the same role at the Benetton team in 1994 and 1995.

Ross Brawn’s intervention now means 10 teams will start this season which is due to open at the Australian Grand Prix (march 29). The sale comes at a time when Formula One costs are coming under closer scrutiny by automakers experiencing the worst global sales slump in decades. Honda quit the most-watched motor sport in December and put the team up for sale to save more than $203 million a year.

Brawn GP will use engines supplied by Mercedes-Benz in this year’s championship. The new team retaina Honda’s driving lineup of Britain’sJenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, who with 423 races between them, Button and Barrichello will form the most experienced partnership on next seasons grid.

Teams have only two pre-season testing sessions left before the championship starts. The final test takes place March 15 to 17 in Jerez, Spain.

British Formula one fans will have the opportunity to see the newly formed Brawn GP team this season during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone due to take place over the weekend of June 19, June 20 and June 21. Tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone are available from £98 (June 19), £185.90 (June 20) and £137.84 (June 21)