Honda is waiting for its 2009 driver line-up

Honda Racing will certainly wait until the end of the season to decide on its driver lineup for 2009. The Japanese manufacturer still seems to believe in the possibility of Fernando Alonso joining.

While Jenson Button should logically remain on board for next year, no decision has yet been made for the second seat.

Alonso has been linked to the team as Button’s teammate. Honda will wait for the Spaniard before the official announcement of the second driver.

The Iberian claims to want to wait until the end of the season, therefore the Brazilian Grand Prix, to decide on his future. This means that Honda Racing will not announce anything before November.

« We have not set any deadline. It will be after the end of the season » stated team principal Ross Brawn.

Rubens Barrichello could therefore participate in his last F1 Grand Prix at home in Brazil.

The Brazilian has a chance to stay with Honda only if Alonso decides to remain with Renault and the team does not opt for a young driver like Bruno Senna.

This second alternative could not be realized because the team hopes to secure a top driver like Alonso or Kubica as Button’s partner in 2010. Therefore, Honda might keep Barrichello for one final season rather than hire a young driver for just one campaign.