Ross Brawn, the technical and tactical genius who helped steer Michael Schumacher to a record seven world titles, has stepped in to rescue Honda's Formula One team.

Confirmation is expected this weekend that a management buy-out, led by Brawn, will keep Honda on track for 2009 with Jenson Button set to give their new car a first test at Silverstone next Thursday.

Brawn, who joined Honda as team principal last season, and chief executive Nick Fry are understood to have secured funding to pay for a supply of Mercedes engines and to guarantee two cars will compete in all 17 rounds.

Honda, who shocked F1 late last year by quitting as a result of the recession, are thought to have been persuaded to divert up to £100million to Brawn's team rather than pay out even more in a 'fine' for leaving the sport and making redundancy payments to 800 British workers.

Further backing has been obtained from F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone in the form of advances on TV money, and it is believed that Bruno Senna, nephew of the late Ayrton Senna, has bought the second seat alongside Button with sponsorship from Brazil.

Brawn's new car will turn up for the opening Grand Prix in Australia on 29 March virtually untested, leaving Button to be a midfield runner at best.