British GP: A Victory for Brawn as Apotheosis

Eighth round of the 2009 season and perhaps the seventh victory for Brawn GP. One thing is certain, the Brackley team would give everything to achieve it… This weekend is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and Brawn GP is an English team based just about fifteen kilometers from the circuit. Furthermore, one of its drivers, Jenson Button, is English, and to top it all off, both the team and the driver are leading the two championships. So, it’s easier to understand everyone’s expectations!

So, another victory for Brawn and Button? Be careful, as the competition will be strong with, first and foremost, Rubens Barrichello, the second Brawn driver, who also wants to shine, but also and especially Red Bull, Toyota, and Ferrari.

Jenson Button – Race Car Driver

« The British Grand Prix is always an incredible weekend and I am looking forward to the Silverstone race on Sunday to be in front of my supporters. Being the championship leader for my home Grand Prix is something I’ve never experienced before and it brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. »

« I’ve had some pretty tough races at Silverstone in the past, but the fans have always been there, and I owe them a victory in return for their support. We made a good step forward regarding the balance of our car in Turkey, but we know that our closest competitors will make the most of the fast corners on this track. »

« Silverstone is one of those classic circuits still on the calendar just like Suzuka and Spa. The drivers love this track because it is very fast and you can really push the car to its limits. It’s a great circuit in terms of speed, direction change, and braking. »

I particularly love the area around Becketts, which is one of the best sequences in Formula 1. It’s also an excellent vantage point to watch the race. I have so many memories of Silverstone, like Mansell’s victory in 1987 and my first F1 race on this track in 2000, when David Coulthard won and I finished fifth.

« It’s strange to think that this could be our last race at Silverstone, and I can’t imagine an F1 calendar without Great Britain. So we’ll make sure the show is up to the mark. »

Rubens Barrichello – Racing Driver:

« Silverstone is one of my favorite circuits. The track is fantastic because it is one of the last layouts on the calendar, which is fast, smooth, and allows you to approach corners at high speed. The level of safety is also high. This is important from the driver’s perspective. Becketts is undoubtedly the most impressive corner with an entry at 290km/h. Therefore, overtaking can be quite spectacular. »

I have wonderful memories of Silverstone and I feel really sad at the thought that this might be the last time we come here. I’ve spent a lot of time on this circuit, whether in testing or in races. I almost feel at home and the supporters are always present even if you are not English!

« My victory here in 2003 was really special, and it’s fantastic to be back this year with a car that has the potential to clinch a win. There are a lot of expectations at the start of this weekend. We will stay calm and focus solely on our work to make it as effective as possible. »

Ross Brawn – Team Principal:

« I was extremely happy with the team’s performance at Istanbul Park. We worked very hard before the race to identify any potential weaknesses compared to our competitors. Additionally, the improvements during the weekend proved that the team is able to react quickly and take the necessary steps to move forward. We have made progress step by step over the past few weeks. We have a series of updates coming, including new front and rear wings. »

« This British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be special for our team this year. Our base in Brackley is just a few kilometers from the circuit, and we are very proud to arrive at this track as leaders in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. I have had the chance to be at Silverstone in the past with winning teams. It’s a very special feeling that I would like to share with my current team this weekend. »