But, following a three-hour meeting with the SFL's management committee at Hampden, a unique rescue packageled by former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall and ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine was given the green light.
Team principal Ross Brawn led a rescue package to buy out the team and continue work on Honda's 2009 car design -- the car would help Button win the world drivers' title and the constructors' championship for Brawn GP that season.