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| Japanese will come back to F1: Brawn |
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009
LONDON: Formula One can expect Japan’s departed carmakers and companies to return eventually but it could be a long wait, according to championship-winning team boss Ross Brawn.
Brawn’s former Honda team pulled out last December while Toyota followed this month and Bridgestone, Formula One’s sole tyre supplier, have announced they will leave at the end of next season.
The Briton told Reuters that he suspected the Japanese would have a rethink some time in the future, once the global financial situation had improved sufficiently.
“They’ve obviously decided that this is how they need to respond to difficulties they are facing, but they have got alot of history in Formula One, particularly Honda and Bridgestone, so let’s hope,” Brawn said.
“It will take a while, it’s going to take a few years but Honda’s was their second or third involvement in Formula One,” added Brawn, whose team use Mercedes engines and have been linked to a takeover by the German carmaker.
“Manufacturers look at the value to them of Formula One, there’s no sentiment I’m afraid. So when it’s viable they come in, and when it’s not they don’t.”
In spite of the departure of Toyota and BMW, the number of teams on the grid is set to rise from 10 to 13 next season.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Sebastien Buemi will stay with Toro Rosso next season, the Formula One team said on Tuesday.
“I can confirm that we’ve signed Buemi for next year,” a spokesman said.
The Ferrari-powered team have yet to name their second driver, although 19-year-old Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari is expected to remain after replacing France’s Sebastien Bourdais last July.
“Dietrich Mateschitz bought this team to give young drivers a chance, and this is our philosophy,” team principal Franz Tost told the autosport.com website. Buemi, 21, was the top rookie last year with six points and some impressive performances.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
