Silverstone Shake Down for Brawn GP (Part Two)

Only a few hours after the exciting and long-awaited news that the former Honda team will compete this season, the new team was already hard at work shaking down their new car. Today's private test took place at Silverstone (I know I earlier said it was public, what I meant was photographers would be there).

Jenson Button, no doubt itching to get back into the seat of an F1 car, took charge of the Mercedes-engined BGP 001. Ross Brawn and Rubens Barrichello were also in there as the work progressed.

In an in-depth interview with the excellent official F1 Web site, Brawn stated that “There is no denying this has been a difficult time for everyone at our Brackley base, but I am immensely proud of the great spirit and fortitude that I have witnessed in the factory over the course of the past few months. The process of designing and manufacturing our new car, which has continued concurrent with the efforts being made to secure the team, has been reasonably straightforward. That is particularly pleasing given that our car was designed around a different engine and both the chassis and gearbox have been modified to accommodate the new engine. Our first test with the new car, though much later than we would have liked, will be an emotional moment for everyone in the team I’m sure.”

When later asked about the shakedown and Brawn GP’s chances in 2009, the British Team principle answered that the biggest challenge was simply being in a position to race in Melbourne (a challenge now achieved). 

For obvious reasons the team may well experience some early reliability issues resulting from the lack of track testing and the adaptation of the car's engine and gear box.  However, Friday confirmed to Brawn his feeling that the team has created a good car and hope performance will be respectable (read between the lines, let's wait until 2010…..More waiting for the next season!).

Brawn failed to comment on his team's chances in Melbourne; I believe rightly so as you simply can’t tell in F1. When asked about the drivers, Brawn stated that the experience that Jens and Rubens have will be crucial.

Finally, on the question of the new livery (mentioned in my previous article), Brawn answered, “We are very pleased with the new livery, which was designed for simplicity to reflect our current position at the inception of Brawn GP. Black and white seemed a natural place to start and the fluorescent yellow gives it a more striking touch of visibility. It’s very different to any other car on the grid.”

I can’t find any lap times but they probably wouldn’t be of much use at this stage.  I think the "great" James Allen summed up my current feeling when Jenson won his first race in 2006" (pause for clearing of throat) “GET IN THERE!”

Quotes in this article were taken from the official F1 Web site. To read the interview in full go to www.F1.com. and for better images of the new car you can head over to the team Web site (www.brawngp.com).