The £1 Team That Conquered F1

Formula 1

Formula 1 is a sport that witnesses millions of people holding their breath for an

extra tenth of a second. This seemingly minuscule amount of time makes all the

difference on the track,whether it's qualifying for a higher place on the starting

grid or the overall race itself. Today, it has become one of the most glamorous

sports, with hundreds of sponsors and millions of fans all over the world. While

some may think that it is just cars going in circles for hours, the race requires the

strategic knowledge of a grandmaster, the endurance of a marathon runner, and

the physical fitness of a bodybuilder.

Behind every racing team, there are thousands of hardworking individuals —

engineers, manufacturers, mechanics, and race engineers — though only a few,

like the team principal and the two drivers, are in the spotlight. As of 2025, there

are 20 drivers and 10 teams on the grid. The number of races has also increased

from 17 in 2009 to 24 in 2025, which is a record-breaking number this year.

The Collapse of Honda F1

In 2008, the global financial crisis hit. Honda pulled out of Formula 1 in

December 2008 due to financial losses. Their F1 team, which had

underperformed in 2008, was on the verge of shutting down. Instead of closing,

Honda sold the team for just £1 to team principal Ross Brawn. This, in turn,

saved thousands of Honda employees their jobs.

Brawn GP

In March 2009, the team was renamed as Brawn GP. They had no title sponsor,

little time to prepare, and were running on limited resources.They secured

Mercedes engines just weeks before the season started. With barely any sponsors,

they began their F1 journey.

The Double Diffuser - Brawn's Secret Weapon

Brawn GP's greatest advantage came from a brilliant and controversial

aerodynamic design: the double diffuser. Normally, a diffuser helps manage

airflow under the car, creating downforce to help it stick to the road. But Brawn's

engineers found a loophole in the 2009 rules and created a second airflow

channel — an extra diffuser — that dramatically increased downforce without

breaking any rules.

This meant: better grip and cornering, superior race pace, and faster lap times,

especially in early races. Lap times determine where a driver starts — anywhere

from first to last. The fastest at the front, or pole position, and the slowest is in

last. This made the team extra dominant on track. While rivals scrambled to copy

the design, Brawn had already pulled far ahead in the championship standings.

2009 - A Fairytale Season

The two drivers for Brawn in 2009 were Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

For the 2009 season, there were 17 races in the competition. Brawn GP had a

fantastic season, with both of its drivers exceeding initial expectations. Brawn GP'

s first ever race was held in Melbourne, Australia. Button got first place, and

Barrichello finished in second. It was already a great start to the season, and

there was no looking back thereafter. By the end of the season, Button won 6

races, and Barrichello won 2.

This meant that the team had 8 wins that season, which was more than enough

for them to win the Constructors' Championship, or the award for the best team.

Jenson Button won the Drivers' Championship, which made him the world

champion. This meant that Brawn GP officially had a 100% championship

success rate, as they won both championships. The team led the championship

from the first race and never lost its edge.

The Aftermath - From £1 to Millions

Later in 2009, Mercedes-Benz bought a 75.1% stake in the team. The team was

renamed Mercedes GP in 2010. They went on to win 8 consecutive Drivers and

Constructors Championships, with Lewis Hamilton winning 7, and Nico Rosberg

winning one title in 2016. Ross Brawn and his team turned a nearly dead

operation into a world-class winner, saving thousands of jobs in the process.

The Ultimate New Beginning

From financial collapse to F1 glory in less than a year, this story shows how belief,

leadership, and innovation can create a legendary comeback. It's a real-world

reminder that every end can be a new beginning.

"It was a fairy tale ending. Nobody expected us to win - not even us." - Jenson

Button, 2009 World Champion.

Written by: Riaan Bhattacharyya