The pursue of Ross Brawn by Nick Fry has been talked about for months but the news still comes as a bit of a surprise. The Telegraph reports that former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn will be unveiled as Honda’s new team principal later today. Nick Fry will continue as chief executive.

Talks with Ferrari about his return after a sabbatical year apparently broke down in October. Brawn made no secret of his desire to become a team principal, but with Jean Todt not planning to leave anytime soon he had to look elsewhere. The downfall of his former colleague Nigel Stepney may also have played some part… Looks like Fry jumped in the moment Brawn’s talks with Ferrari ended and he became available. Fry and Brawn reportedly travelled to Japan for talks with Honda and finally signed the deal last week.