Button and Barrichello confirmed at Honda ?

[Marbot]

ITV says both drivers confirmed for next season,but the actual article is a little bit vague.

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=43373

[Super Hans]

Great news if it's true. They're a strong pairing, and have been wasted in recent years. Maybe they'll be rewarded for their persistence with a competitive Honda for '09.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Yeh I agree, good news. Congratulations to the two if this is true.

Selby

[alonso11]

Brawn has a point, first you need to build a car, then you can look for some top guys (or maybe it will turn out that you already have'em, they were just underachieving because the car was such a dog)

Right now they could sign Nando for an awful lot of cash with a contract full of clauses to ensure Nando can leave the team even if he finds the wheather a bit chilly. If they make a BMW-like improvement, that will attract a few top-guns for reasonable prices and they can sign proper contracts with them.


(Or maybe Brawn just wants to keep Rubens motivated as the team didnt book a return flight for him from Sao-Paolo )

[chunterer]

As I mentioned in silly season thread (sorry I missed this one!!) i'm sure I just heard Fry saying on ITV that they still haven't decided on the line up because of discussions going on?

Anyone else hear that?

[Born Racer]

Yeah, it makes me think that they are pursuing Alonso.

Are both BMW drivers confirmed for next year? If so, that leaves Toyota, Williams and Honda as realistic options for Fernando.

[Bononi]

And Renault ?

[Born Racer]

Yes. I meant alternative options.

If he goes to Honda, you would think it would be for the long-term because I don't see them stunning us next year.

[Bononi]

Exactly, but the point is that he would leave Renault if they don't improve so why he would go to Honda and literally take steps down ?

[Born Racer]

I suppose it would be with the view that Honda will make a success of it in the long-term. That's the thing- if he joins Honda, I guess it will mean he's not expecting to be offered a Ferrari drive anytime soon, because otherwise he may as well stay at Renault for a year.

[Chiefy]

Well I think Barrichello has gone some way to ensuring his argument for retention is solid, with three points finishes. Button? There might be more from him in the latter stages but as there is an unfathomable love shared between the Brackley boy and his team, I don't suppose they'll kick him out for anyone.

Alonso won't join the team for 2009. That's my guess.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I suppose it would be with the view that Honda will make a success of it in the long-term. That's the thing- if he joins Honda, I guess it will mean he's not expecting to be offered a Ferrari drive anytime soon, because otherwise he may as well stay at Renault for a year.

Yes, that' for sure, but in the same basis, staying with Renault it's a better option. If one can succeed in the long term, Renault has a better profile than Honda. So I can only think of him joining Honda for more money.

[Sodemo]

Maybe Button could go back to Williams?

[f1manoz]

I think it's reward for both drivers have to put up with two wasted years in completely uncompetitive equipment.

The heady days of 2005 / 06 are long gone for Honda at the moment.

If they don't improve in 2009 when all the new regulations come in, I wonder how long they would seriously keep at it...

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by f1manoz

The heady days of 2005 / 06 are long gone for Honda at the moment.

2004 was their undoubted highpoint though. Other than Button's victory in Hungary, they've had a pretty barren time since them.

[zac510]

Autosport is contradicting this report.

[JamesRamone]

Personally if i were Honda, i'd stick with them both. Reliable and fast when given the machinery. The continuity would help also.

[Dutton]

It was still BAR (or B.A.R - whichever it was by then) in 2004, though, wasn't it?

Over the next 5 years, I think I would be tempted to put my money on Honda over Renault.

I would think, though, Alonso may be tempted to do another year at Renault: it lets him see how Honda seem to be getting on whilst also seeing if something pops up at Ferrari.

I suspect Jenson won't be going anywhere. Ross likes Rubens, and knows how to keep him in good enough shape, so it would make sense to keep him tagged on if Alonso stays put.

[JeremySmith]

It's hard not to like Rubens.. It's about the kit..Give them the car and they will deliver... Yes!

[Bononi]

Rubens told the TV that there's nothing signed yet. "We're still talking, I didn't know about this news. There's nothing confirmed, but I would like to stay. I like the team and I feel I'm faster than ever and experienced enough, and that helps."

[Born Racer]

I think Rubens merits the seat beyond this year. He's probably got the edge on Button at the moment for one thing, with notably a strong performance in the last race. Your thoughts?

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I think Rubens merits the seat beyond this year. He's probably got the edge on Button at the moment for one thing, with notably a strong performance in the last race. Your thoughts?

I'm inclined to agree; however, I suspect that Honda could well be tempted to run Bruno Senna in Barrichello's place.

[Teretonga]

Runing Senna in 2009 would be a mistake.
Give Barrichello a years extension and if Bruno is your choice give him a testing contract plus support for year in GP2 or WSR to keep him up race fitness.
Check him out in that time and you'll know if he's good enough by 2010.
If not then you'll have better options.

[Stefvh]

I think it all still depends on ALonso"s Choice

[Teretonga]

I cannot see Alonso at Honda in 2009. They are simply not competitive enough.