By Phil Huff
February 27 2009

Nearly a week after RealHondaF1.com broke the story, the world's media are beginning to wake up to the prospect of the ex-Honda team returning to Formula One as part of a management buy-out, with general acceptance that Ross Brawn will be leading the team following the exit of Nick Fry.

Whilst there's talk of an imminent announcement in many places, our sources are confident that the plans will be made public on Thursday 5 March, less than a week from today, subject to the paperwork on a series of deals being finalised.

Contrary to reports elsewhere regarding Bruno Senna, we do believe the Brazilian will arrive with a number of sponsors, although the prospect of the driver bringing along £20 million (€22.4m/$28.5m), as some reports suggest, are somewhat wide of the mark.

Other report shave suggested the team will be testing at Jerez next week, but we understand the Barcelona test of 9-12 March was always the target. Our photographers will be there to capture the Brackley-Mercedes* first proper test, although we expect a shakedown at Silverstone shortly.

We stand by all we've revealed thus far (Mercedes engines, car build continuing as planned, MBO led by Brawn, job cuts, test planned, etc.) ahead of the 'mainstream' media, but the sooner the buy-out is completed, the better, as we hear of disturbing stories from within the Brackley facility.

To the good people at Brackley; We've always been 100% behind you all of the way. These recent times have not been easy on any of you, but we do see light at the end of the tunnel. The sad fact is it won't be good news for all of you, but the team will survive and hundreds of jobs will be saved.

See you in Melbourne!