Brawn joins Honda as director

The Honda Racing team confirmed that former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn will be the team principal of the Japanese team in 2008.

As revealed by autosport.com in April, Honda had contacted the Briton with the aim of convincing him to lead the team next year.

Brawn was on a sabbatical this year after spending 10 years as technical director at Ferrari.

He will have full responsibility for the design, manufacturing, and engineering of the car.

Brawn will work alongside Nick Fry, who will have the status of chief executive.

« I am very happy to join the Honda Racing F1 Team. Honda has a heritage in F1 to be proud of, and having the opportunity to help the team reach a reasonable level of performance presents a new challenge for me in this sport, » said Brawn.

« The team has already done an excellent job regarding its future. I look forward to working alongside people who I am certain are great talents to help Honda rediscover the taste of victory. »

Fry added: « One of my main tasks over the past six months has been to attract new talents to the Honda Racing F1 Team and we have hired a number of people in the areas of aerodynamics, design, engineering, marketing. »

« Today’s announcement of Ross Brawn joining our team is very satisfying. It is proof of the team’s willingness to revitalize its team to make it stronger and more determined. Ross needs no introduction, » he continued.

« His experience of victories in the F1 World Championships will be crucial as we seek to bring Honda back on the path to success, and I am delighted that we can work together to achieve this goal, » concluded Fry.

Brawn will start working with Honda on November 26th.