Zoom Plenty of rumour regarding the fate of Honda

Reports that Bruno Senna has inked a contract to make his Formula One debut with the team currently known as Honda next year are untrue.

That is the claim of the Daily Telegraph, in the wake of widespread suggestions that the Brackley-based team's future - thrown into doubt by the shock withdrawal of Honda - is now clearer.

The reports at the weekend also suggested Senna was bringing with him some key Brazilian backing, including Petrobras and Embratel.

‘However, not only are the reports regarding Senna believed to be untrue, but Petrobras have pulled out of a sponsorship deal with Honda for 2009,’ Telegraph journalist Tom Cary wrote.

He said the future of the team is therefore still ‘hanging in the balance’, with a team source adding that the proposed management buyout led by Nick Fry and Ross Brawn is in jeopardy because of a bid from an unnamed third party.

The Honda source said the third party is a well known company, but that team management are calling its late interest a ‘hostile bid’.

‘Will Honda be on the grid in Melbourne? I would say it's 50-50,’ the source mused.

Source: GMM
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