Motorsport: Brabham out to put famous family name back on F1 grid

David Brabham. Photo / Getty Images

The Brabham name could be returning to Formula One for the first time since 1992. Former Grand Prix driver David Brabham, youngest son of the late three-time world champion Sir Jack Brabham, has announced an innovative plan to see the iconic team make a return to the grid.

"I've always wanted to see the Brabham name back in F1," the Australian said yesterday. "I'm not sure the time is right as we all know that several current teams are struggling, but ultimately our goal is to take Brabham back when we have successfully built a new race team via our exciting new business model."

David, the winner of the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours with Peugeot, will set the wheels rolling by bringing Brabham back as a world-class racing team operating an LMP2 car in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year. In the fourth year, Brabham Racing will design, build and race a LMP1 contender as the springboard to an eventual F1 return. The unique selling point will be an innovative model to build and fund a sustainable team via crowdfunding support.

Sir Jack Brabham's eponymous race team won back-to-back world championships for drivers and constructors in 1966 and 1967 with Brabham himself and Denny Hulme behind the wheels. Brabham jnr first discussed turning the family name into a brand with his illustrious father, who died this year, back in 2006. He then spent the next seven years fighting to get back all the rights to the name.

"It's the right time for a change in the way we go racing," Brabham said. "Sir Richard Branson once said that if you want to build a brand, do something different. Well, what we are doing that is different is that we want to inspire and engage a whole new generation of fans, drivers and engineers, and we plan to do that through crowdfunding and through Brabham Digital.

"Dad would always talk with anyone, he was never elitist, and that remains part of our family DNA. We plan to stay true to who we are, and the openness and transparency of the whole project is the embodiment of that as Brabham Racing will provide fans with unique behind-the-scenes access, insight and knowledge."

Brabham will share everything from its investor search, driver selection process and building its premises, to the first car build, test and race, and later, via live telemetry, behind-the-scenes footage and radio communications on race weekends.

"I'm a huge believer in the power of collective thinking, it can make fantastic things happen," Brabham said. "Through the Brabham Digital portal, members will become an essential part of the team's journey. Anyone donating more than 1 can get from three years and up to lifetime access to one or all three of the Brabham Digital web applications through the various packages detailed on the Project Brabham crowdfunding page.

"The first step is the creation of the team by engaging the community first, then using its power to attract the investors who will get us on to the grid. We invite all these people to join us in making history as we head back towards F1."

- Independent