Brawn goes 1-2, lays off third of staff

[seamusoldfield]

All over the news. Less than 24 hours after the huge (HUGE) win in Australia, Brawn has laid off more than 270 staff members - a full third of the team.

Australia's Brisbane Times said the move has "shattered the feelgood factor around the team's remarkable one-two finish in their debut Grand Prix..."

Really?

You think?

[wmcot]

Sadly, economic times suck for BrawnGP as they do for the rest of the world. Hopefully they'll get a little bit of notice and sponsorship and be able to hire some of those employees back.

It really isn't any different from any other F1 team this year since reduced testing and reduced staff were put in place to reduce costs - Thanks Max and/or Bernie!

[Dr. Krogshöj]

It really isn't any different from any other F1 team this year since reduced testing and reduced staff were put in place to reduce costs - Thanks Max and/or Bernie!

So you say teams should continue to spend $400 million a year to put two cars on the grid? That bubble had to be burst. F1 is not an island in the world economy. Yes, a lot of people will loose their jobs now but they are skilled and talented people who will not struggle to find employment on the long run.

[ArrowsFA1]

So you say teams should continue to spend $400 million a year to put two cars on the grid?
There is an argument that says if they can obtain that amount of money then isn't it up to them how they spend it.

Regardless of that, although the news was "announced" after the 1-2 in Australia those affected were informed a couple of weeks ago. Either way it certainly doesn't make it any easier for anyone.

[Dave B]

Yesterday's 1-2 must have been such a bitter-sweet moment for those who already knew they were losing their jobs.

F1 has to make economies like every other industry, but I can't help but wonder if this is short-sighted. A decent sponsor should spell the end of Brawn GP's immediate money worries, and while they may have had the luxury of 15 months in which to design and build this phenominal car, they won't be so fortunate in future seasons. To carry this momentum forward into next season and beyond on a budget may be a tough task even for Ross Brawn.

[Storm]

I think they mentioned on commentary that the guys getting laid off already knew about this well in advance.

Doesn't make it any easier but still they knew it was happening and hence can feel very proud of what they managed to achieve! I'm sure they will get back into motorsport soon.

Honda must be feeling pretty stupid by now.

[Mark]

Well such losses were always going to happen when the team switched from being owned by a big corporation, into private hands.

I'm sure those leaving were informed well in advance, and it's a great testament to them that they stuck around in order to get the team on the grid for 2009, and what a result for them!

It has always been the question in my mind of how long Brawn can stay in front, they may have the best car now but the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, Renault have the resources behind them to catch up quickly.

[veeten]

Not a surprise, as I knew this was going to happen. From 700 to a now-450 personel team, still a good staff to do much of the job.

Yes, Branson did come with sponsorship, but the amount breaks down to 250,000 per race for the season.

You do the maths...

Not only are/did the BIG name sponsors either renegotiated their contracts downwards or just decided to cut their losses and leave, but those coming in are/have been doing so at less money given than in previous seasons.

What's happening at Brackley is only what will be seen at other teams as this season unfolds, it's just the painful reality of the economic meltdown and how it is affecting the whole of Formula 1.

[Robinho]

it sounds a lot, but according to Fry, the team will be reverting back to the staff levels of BAR in 2004 (the year they produced the 2nd best car on the grid and scored multiple podiums) so its not like they are going to be under-resourced, they are just cutting back from the Honda excesses, and given the reduced aero, engine and testing there is an inevitable need for less staff anyway

[GridGirl]

At least two thirds of them still have a job though as you lot all thought that the staff would ALL be out of a job about a month ago!

[Jag_Warrior]

It was reported that Button had cut his salary (by half?) to make this deal happen, so does he now have an ownership position in Brawn GP?

[seamusoldfield]

Very good point, GridGirl. Sad but true.

[Charlie]

Nicky Fry said that they have cut down to amount of staff they had in 2004 (before Honda bought a stake in B.A.R and then their subsequent take over). So basicly Brawn have got the number of staff you'd expect from a private entry.

[christophulus]

It's a real shame, but we all knew it was going to happen.

On the (admittedly small) plus side it's an alright thing to put on the CV - "helped in designing/constructing the fastest car in F1 at the moment"

[Malbec]

Well such losses were always going to happen when the team switched from being owned by a big corporation, into private hands.


A lot of the job losses will also be as a result of the new regulations regarding testing and wind tunnel usage too, Brawn won't be the only one cutting jobs, but they simply had more to lose since Honda had the highest staff number of all the teams.

As for Brawn's funding, as Martin Whitmarsh alluded to in his interview the team is well funded for 2009, they received the money owed to them by FOM in full over the winter to tide them over and Honda will be supplying them with $100 million over the current season. I doubt thats far short of what teams like Williams are running on.

Its next season that they have to worry about, no Honda cash and possibly no cash from FOM regardless of their position in the championship, they aren't allowed any prize money until two years after their first entry.

[woody2goody]

A lot of the job losses will also be as a result of the new regulations regarding testing and wind tunnel usage too, Brawn won't be the only one cutting jobs, but they simply had more to lose since Honda had the highest staff number of all the teams.

As for Brawn's funding, as Martin Whitmarsh alluded to in his interview the team is well funded for 2009, they received the money owed to them by FOM in full over the winter to tide them over and Honda will be supplying them with $100 million over the current season. I doubt thats far short of what teams like Williams are running on.

Its next season that they have to worry about, no Honda cash and possibly no cash from FOM regardless of their position in the championship, they aren't allowed any prize money until two years after their first entry.

Which idiot put that rule in? Oh you can enter and pay millions to Bernie's Wagon of Evil but then you can't get any winnings even for the title. That's preposterous old bean!