F1: Brawn GP Secure Future With Sponsorship Deals

BRAWN GP has secured its long-term future in Formula 1 after signing a series of sponsorship deals through to the 2012 season.

Although the British team has fielded a largely sponsor-free car this season, Brawn GP has survived on the funding provided by Honda as part of Ross Brawn and Nick Fry’s takeover deal earlier in the year.

However, with Honda set to stop providing financial assistance and prominent corporate partner Virgin moving to support the new Manor Grand Prix team next year, Brawn and Fry were left in desperate need of new sponsorship to ensure the team remains a fixture on the grid.

Brawn GP’s concerns though have now been allayed after Fry revealed the team had signed a series of agreements, commencing from the 2010.

He told Autosport: “We have zero worries on funding for this year, next year, the year after, and the year after that.

“I smile when people talk about money, because we've always had the finances for this year, and neither Ross nor I would not have taken on the team if we did not have the money for this year.

"We've signed some nice contracts, and those will come out into the open when we launch the car next year, but we will see what happens. There is zero worry on our side."

Meanwhile, Brawn has admitted his team will look to extend the contracts of championship leader Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello for next year.

While Button has always been in contention for a second stint at Brawn GP, Barrichello’s frequent outbursts against team management prompted speculation the Brazilian would not have his contract renewed.

But after an impressive performance in Valencia, Brawn said there is “no good reason” not to re-sign the duo for 2010.

"There is no good reason not to (sign Button and Barrichello). They are both doing a very good job, so I think after Spa we will start to look at it," he said.

"We needed to get a number of things in place before you can sensibly talk about drivers. The Concorde Agreement is done now, that was done in the break.

“We think our commercial side is going to develop well now, so we can sit down after Spa, talk with the drivers and sort it out."