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Ferrari has put the chances of it signing an engine deal with the stricken Honda team at “almost zero” – just days after indicating that it would be willing to supply power units to any potential buyer.

The Brackley-based team is up for sale following Honda’s abrupt decision to quit the sport for financial reasons, and the Japanese manufacturer, although keen to facilitate a smooth transition to new ownership, has already ceased engine production.

Honda team principal Ross Brawn, who headed Ferrari’s technical department from 1997-2006, disclosed last week that he had approached his former squad about a supply of engines and was confident of a positive outcome.

“We haven’t signed anything yet but I really appreciated the support from president Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali,” Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s like being among former school friends – they still see me as one of their own.”

A Ferrari spokesman subsequently confirmed that the Maranello team was prepared to supply engines, although no deal was in place.

But speaking at Ferrari’s 2009 car launch on Monday, team principal Stefano Domenicali all but ruled out that scenario.

“As far as delivering engines to Honda is concerned this possibility is almost zero at the moment,” he said.

Both Brawn and Honda CEO Nick Fry have expressed confidence that the team will be rescued, with Fry claiming that there have been around a dozen credible offers from interested parties.

But with the start of the season just two and a half months away, failing to secure a supply of engines could potentially scupper any deal.

SOURCE: http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44914

Wonder the reasoning behind the U-turn...

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