The latest announcement follows news that team staff at Honda's Brackley were previously told to prepare for imminent winter tests in Spain and subsequently the beginning of the 2009 season in Melbourne, Australia.
It's understood the 2009 race car has been adapted to fit a Mercedes Benz V8 engine and will commence testing in Spain on March 9. It remains unclear, however, what name the team will now operate or in what livery the cars will race. One possibility gaining credence is 'Brawn GP'.
As for the drivers, an official statement has revealed that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will race for the new team.