Cinderella Story

CINDERELLA STORY

By John Ross Harvey

Congratulations are in order for the Brawn GP Formula 1 team.
Months ago as team Honda, they were forced to withdraw the team
due to financial reasons, however a buyer was certainly being sought.

Many like myself, expected Sir. Richard Branson to step in, after all, this is a billionaire's sport, and he is one.

Mere weeks ago, the team Engineer and manager Ross Brawn was confirmed
as the new owner, and promptly began the team as status quo, with new Mercedes engines, instead of Honda which had withdrawn from the sport.

Winter testing showed them to be very quick, and most suspected they were light, and that Ferrari and McLaren were holding back.
Suffice it to say, they were completely underestimated.

They arrived in Australia with a large fan base, which included Sir Richard Branson, who decided on race weekend that he would sponsor the team.
Last minute as the decision was, it amounted to a few stickers on the helmets and the cockpits of each car. He claimed he didn't have enough carry on for paint.

Brawn GP qualified 1-2 on the grid. Thanks to some poor thought takeover manouvres, by the drivers running 2nd and 3rd, taking each other out of contention, they finished the race 1-2 as well.

A prouder moment for these two drivers, their team principal, and their new sponsor could not possibly happen. This was a true Cinderella story.

They were going to miss the ball, got the last minute opportunity to show up, and stole the hearts of many.

Congratulations Brawn GP, Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, and the self described "Lucky Bastard" Sir Richard Branson.

Well done!