Fry says it was Brawn or no one for Honda

The former Ferrari technical director has joined Honda as team principal following a sabbatical, and the Briton will lead the team as they aim to return to the sharp end of the field following a dismal 2007 season.

Fry, who was also Honda's team boss before Brawn's arrivals said he was determined to hire the Briton, and admitted Honda would not have tried to find a substitute had he not accepted the Japanese outfit's offer.

"My job is to get the best out of the Honda team, in whichever form. That is what I am paid for, and that has to be the priority," said Fry during testing at Jerez in Spain. "It is a CEO's job to get the best possible resources.

"I saw many senior technical people from most teams during the course of the summer, it was all clear to me there was only one possibility. In fact, when I was asked by my Japanese colleague what my fallback plan was ... there was no fallback plan.

"I was determined to get Ross. If we had not been able to get Ross then we would have continued with the people we have got.

"We have a very strong team, it would have been a tougher job but we still had a good chance to succeed, but having someone who has won several world championships, it is not a guarantee for quick success, but my job is to maximise the chances.

"I am very pleased to be working with Ross. I think I have done my job to improve Honda's chances of becoming champion."

Fry admits there were moments during his talks with Brawn when he feared the Briton would return to Ferrari instead of choosing Honda.

"It was six months of, let's say consistent work, put it this way," said Fry of his talks with Brawn.

"When I contacted him I knew we were one of the many who contacted him, but I think I made a difference, I got a positive reaction, and a polite one, he did express interest. I think Ross was extremely honourable.

"He did not want to talk to us while he was talking to Ferrari, then I just kept in contact with him on a regular, friendly, social basis. Frankly in the middle of the year I thought he was going to go back to Ferrari, but if it was not for Ferrari it would be with us, and I was confident about that."