Ferrari rule out Honda engine supply

Ferrari have all but ruled out supplying engines to Honda Racing in 2009, should the Japanese manufacturer find a buyer to save the team

Honda Racing sporting director Ross Brawn, Ferrari's former technical director, confirmed last week that he had contacted the Italian team to enquire about a supply of customer engines.

But Ferrari's team principal Stefano Domenicali appeared to dismiss the suggestion at the launch of the Scuderia's F60 on Monday: "I can tell you about the chances of giving Honda engines... the likelihood is close to zero."

Brawn said last week that Honda Racing was continuing to prepare their 2009 car for the start of the season while negotiations with potential buyers continue.

"Honda has already said it will not supply us with engines, so that's why I contacted Ferrari," Brawn told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We haven't signed anything yet but I really appreciated the support from president Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali. It's like being among former schoolmates: they still see me as one of their own."

Honda Racing face a race against time to find a buyer and be ready for the start of the season.

Honda has made it clear that it does not intend to continue supplying engines to the team and Brawn has indicated that he expected it to take six weeks to modify the 2009 car for a new customer engine package.