Brawn GP’s sweep of the 2009 System 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships throughout its solely season of competitors stays probably the most sensational tales in racing historical past. One of many automobiles from that historic season is heading to public sale.
Set to be a function lot at a Bonhams public sale occurring Might 3, throughout F1’s 2025 Miami Grand Prix weekend, Brawn GP Chassis 001/01 is one in every of simply three full automobiles constructed by the staff. It is the primary time a Brawn GP 001 has been supplied on the market, in line with the public sale home.
2009 Brawn GP Chassis 001/01 (picture through Bonhams)
Brawn GP is the last word F1 underdog story. After a profitable stint at Ferrari throughout the Michael Schumacher period, Ross Brawn was introduced in as technical director of the Honda manufacturing unit staff to engineer what was hoped to be the same turnaround. With main rule adjustments coming for 2009, Brawn opted to sacrifice the staff’s 2008 effort and give attention to a brand new automobile designed round these rule adjustments.
However following the 2008 monetary recession, Honda pulled out of F1. Brawn and CEO Nick Fry took over the staff and secured Mercedes engines for its nearly-completed chassis, which might race because the BGP 001. Brawn’s technique labored out, because the automobile was the category of the sphere in early races, helped partially by a double diffuser additionally utilized by Williams and Toyota, however later protested by the larger groups, all of which had missed this downforce-generating trick.
Jenson Button and Rubens Barichello completed 1-2 within the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the primary of six wins for Button that season. However wins and podiums dried up later within the season as different groups—notably Purple Bull—continued to develop their automobiles, one thing Brawn could not afford to do on its shoestring price range.
2009 Brawn GP Chassis 001/01 (picture through Bonhams)
Nonetheless, Button was in a position to safe the Drivers’ Championship on the penultimate race in Brazil, a outcome that additionally netted the Constructors’ Championship for Brawn. The staff was then purchased by its engine provider, morphing into the Mercedes manufacturing unit staff for the 2010 season and happening to win a string of seven Drivers’ and eight Constructors’ championships throughout F1’s hybrid period.
The automobile up for public sale was pushed to 4 podiums and 9 top-10 finishes by Barichello. It was then given to Button on the finish of the season to fulfill a clause within the Brit’s contract. It is remained in Button’s assortment till now. The opposite two chassis stay with Brawn and Mercedes.