Honda 'optimistic' of survival

Committed: Jenson Button

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The Honda F1 team have said they are "optimistic" of securing their future after the Japanese manufacturer's recent announcement that they are to withdraw from the sport.

However, with the start of the 2009 season just over two months away, a team spokeswoman was non-committal regarding a takeover deadline for the Brackley-based team.

"Don't focus too much on any speculation regarding time frames and deadlines," she said. "Work on our race car is progressing well.

"We're optimistic but it may not be possible to comment further for some time."

Honda shocked Formula One at the start of December when it announced it was pulling out of the sport due to the global economic downturn.

Despite a 2008 budget estimated by some to be over $300m, they scored a mere 14 points and finished ninth out of the 10 teams that completed the season.

Team chief executive Nick Fry said earlier this month that Honda had narrowed its options down to a shortlist of about 12 serious offers.

But Fry also had to deny accusations of a conflict of interest after reports suggested that he was also trying to organise a management buyout.

Although talks with Ferrari failed to provide a replacement engine deal, McLaren's partners Mercedes have said they are willing to step in.

However, Honda team principal Ross Brawn has also said that working to modify their car to accommodate a different engine will place them six weeks behind schedule.

Poised

Jenson Button has committed himself to the team's survival, a spokeswoman for the British driver saying he is continuing to train as normal.

Even so, Toro Rosso appear poised to try and land Button should his current team not make the grid for the Australian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull-backed outfit have the only vacancy remaining for the coming season and have delayed naming a team-mate for Swiss newcomer Sebastien Buemi.

Button is said to be highly rated by Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost after they worked together at Williams in 2000.

Sebastien Bourdais, who drove for Toro Rosso last year, and Takuma Sato are the other drivers mentioned in connection with the seat.

Toro Rosso have said that they will name their second driver "at some point" before Melbourne.