Honda plays down looming deadline
It was believed January 31 had been imposed by the withdrawing Japanese manufacturer as a deadline for a new buyer to have finalized a rescue package for the 2009 season.
Team boss Ross Brawn has also said Brackley based engineers will require at least six weeks prior to March's Australian grand prix to integrate the new car with a different engine.
And Mercedes-Benz's Norbert Haug confirmed nearly two weeks ago that the German manufacturer is willing to supply customer engines to Honda, but that "time is running out".
A Honda spokeswoman, however, said talk about "time frames and deadlines" is overstated.
"Don't focus too much on any speculation regarding time frames and deadlines," she is quoted as saying by Reuters.
"Work on our race car is progressing well. We're optimistic but it may not be possible to comment further for some time."
Prodrive's David Richards had considered buying the beleaguered team, but he said the late timing of Honda's withdrawal complicated the process for interested parties.