According to reports in the Italian press, the financially crippled Honda Racing Formula One team has been saved from extinction with the emergence of a buyer before the New Year deadline, Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim.
Despite not quoting a source for the information, La Stampa has reported that the 67 year old will be purchasing the team and keeping Jenson Button on the Formula One grid in 2009, the British racer to be joined by 2008 GP2 racer Bruno Senna.
'The saviour has arrived,” the paper reads. “Carlos Slim, 67 years old and the second richest man in the world. The news is not official as all the details have yet to be formalised. But two things are certain - the team has been saved and the drivers will be Jenson Button and rookie Bruno Senna in place of Rubens Barrichello.'
Now we just need to hear the official story....