Ross Brawn insists there is more to come from his team after their momentous one-two in Australia.
Brawn GP boss keen to see his side make the most of winning start
Ross Brawn insists there is more to come from his team after their momentous one-two in Australia.
Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello secured the stunning success for the side that just less than four months ago was virtually on the scrapheap.
But a management buy-out of Honda Racing led by Brawn, a man more renowned for his technical prowess, saved the team and the bulk of the jobs at the team's factory at Brackley.
Two hundred and thirty of the 700 jobs at Brawn GP are to go as the company downsizes, but nothing could dampen the celebrations at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne on Sunday.
Challenge
"We have worked incredibly hard for this victory today," said a delighted Brawn.
"To see the dedication, commitment and sheer hard work come to fruition, with Jenson and Rubens bringing home a one-two finish for the team at the first race of the season, is immensely rewarding.
"After everything our team has been through over the past four months, this is quite simply a sensational result.
"It's difficult to put into words what this win means to our team.
"But I'm sure I speak for every single one of them, at the track and back at the factory in Brackley, when I say it has been a wonderful weekend.
"And it is just the beginning for us, but it wasn't a perfect race by any means, so we will learn from today and continue to improve.
"We have to keep developing the car throughout the season if we want to challenge for further wins and the championship."
Celebrations
That "wonderful weekend" started yesterday morning when Virgin was announced as a major sponsor.
However, Sir Richard Branson may have to up the ante on the back of this result if he is looking to become a title sponsor, as has been mentioned.
"It's a case of watch this space," said Branson. "One day we might name a team after Virgin, so we will see, and I'm sure we will have some discussions.
"They've certainly got me addicted to the sport, so it will be a good time to sit me down and have a word I think.
"Maybe they should keep on plying me with champagne, keep the gorgeous Virgin girls either side of me, and you never know what might happen!
"Seriously, they deserve supporting. Their car, just six weeks ago, looked like it was never going to race, and that all the team at Honda would be out of work.
"We would never have known what a great car it is, so it's great to play a part in rescuing the team and we hope Virgin will be part of it going forward."
