Honda will make it Melbourne... probably

RealHondaF1.com's sources have indicated that work is continuing at the Brackley base to prepare the race cars for the first Grand Prix of the season, with some staff dedicated to the task of reengineering parts of the car in order to fit an alternative engine supply.

Many weeks ago we suggested a supply of Mercedes power units would be made available at short notice, and subject to the usual commercial agreements, and our stance hasn't changed thus far.

The lead bid to buy the team appears to come from inside, with Nick Fry heading a management buy out of the Brackley facility, despite leading the process of sorting out other bids, numbering up to 30 at one point, according to Fry himself.

"I have no inside knowledge but my feeling from all the circumstances is that it [a buyout] is more likely than not," Max Mosley told Reuters. "Talking to the people around the team, they seem optimistic, but they always are until the moment comes. They [team principal Brawn and chief executive officer Nick Fry] may succeed. They are both very competent people."

Bernie Ecclestone also feels the team will survive. The F1 boss, who has admitted he is assisting in the Honda sale, when asked if the team will turn up in Melbourne, replied "I think so. I think that will happen."

However, both men argue that losing Honda from Formula One would not cause any lasting damage and may, in a perverse way, be a good thing. Despite cost cutting plans for 2010 and beyond, there's a feeling that some are still against any cuts in their budgets, with the teams already trying to claw back things like testing days. Having an empty garage in the pitlane could finally focus attention on the more extravagant sides of the sport, and force a few individuals to accept that costs have got out of control.

Should the team fold, as we believe is unlikely, then there would still be a little good news, at least for other F1 teams, with both Force India and USF1 interested in picking up some of the assets.

That, however, does nothing for the many good people in Brackley and Bracknell. Here's hoping for the best.