Brawn: No decision on 2009 line-up yet

The Briton told the official Formula One website on Friday that they would keep both drivers for another year, leading to the reports that the duo had already signed new contracts.

But on Saturday Brawn backtracked from his comments and made it clear that Honda have not made any decision about their line-up yet.

"Well, nothing is certain," Brawn told autosport.com. "There is a possibility about where we will end, but there is nothing definitive at the moment.

"We are moving towards a solution with the two drivers we have, but nothing is done yet.

"That's not a decision we have made yet, no."

The team's CEO Nick Fry said, however, that it wouldn't be a surprise if the Japanese squad kept their line-up unchanged.

"No, I wouldn't be surprised if we had the same drivers next year because they have done a good job, they are both doing a similar job, and we haven't yet been able to give them a car they deserve. It wouldn't be a surprise," said Fry.

Fry also praised Barrichello's input this season, but he denied the Brazilian had earned a new contract thanks to his podium performance at the British Grand Prix.

"Rubens has done an excellent job all year," Fry added. "It is really noticeable how his disposition has changed. Looking from the outside, Ross coming on board has helped Rubens because he is someone who is very familiar with and possibly it may have, not so much unnerved Jenson, but he has got to rebuild a relationship with a new person.

"It has probably helped one and possibly hindered the other one. But you don't make judgements on one grand prix or even two or three. You do it on the overall picture and the potential for the future."

And although the team are believed to be looking into luring Fernando Alonso, Fry said they would not be interested in hiring the Spaniard for just one season.

"I don't think it is sensible to hire anybody for a year, regardless of who they are. I don't think it is anything specific to Fernando. In my view, it's too short a period to integrate a driver and get a the full benefits.

"The two drivers we have this year have done an excellent job."