Brawn GP

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Lore & Background

The team's origins trace back to the Tyrrell Racing Organisation before evolving through British American Racing and Honda. When Honda pulled out due to the financial crisis, Ross Brawn led a buyout on March 6, 2009, purchasing the assets for just £1. Although the FIA considered them an entirely new entry, they inherited the development work started in early 2008 under the RA109 designation. Renamed the BGP-001 to fit Mercedes engines, the car featured a controversial double diffuser. Protested by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and Renault, this aerodynamic innovation was declared legal by the FIA in April 2009, granting Brawn GP a crucial downforce advantage that propelled them to pole positions and victories.

In Their Own Story

The 2009 season began with shock and awe at the Australian Grand Prix. On their racing debut, Brawn GP took pole position and second place in qualifying before finishing first and second in the race, marking a level of dominance unseen since Mercedes in 1954. Jenson Button won six of the first seven races, including a rain-shortened victory in Malaysia where they became the only new constructor to win their first two Grands Prix since Alfa Romeo in 1950. By the Brazilian Grand Prix on October 18, Button secured the Drivers' Championship after finishing fifth from fourteenth on the grid, while Barrichello took third overall. The team's fifteen podiums and five pole positions culminated in a record-breaking season before their sale to Mercedes-Benz on November 16.

Reader's Guide

Brawn GP was formed when Ross Brawn and Nick Fry acquired the Honda Racing F1 Team for £1, retaining key staff including drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. The team utilized a budget of $100 million provided by Honda prior to withdrawal and Mercedes engines under a customer relationship. Their technical strategy focused on the double diffuser, which overcame the lack of KERS development that other teams had pursued. Despite struggles at the British and German Grands Prix where tyre temperature issues affected performance, they won eight races total. The team's success led to their acquisition by Mercedes-Benz and Aabar Investments for a 75.1% stake in November 2009, rebranding as Mercedes GP for the 2010 season.

Did You Know?

• Brawn GP is the only constructor in Formula One history to win both titles in its sole season of competition.
• The team's car was originally named the RA109 under Honda before being redesigned and renamed the BGP-001 for the Mercedes engine fitment.
• Jenson Button secured the 2009 Drivers' Championship by finishing fifth at the Brazilian Grand Prix, starting from fourteenth position.
• The controversial double diffuser design was protested by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and Renault before being declared legal by the FIA in April 2009.
• Brawn GP received the Laureus World Sports Awards for Team of the Year in 2010 following their historic season.