Formula One: Ross Brawn won't give up yet
Mercedes GP team principal Ross Brawn has dismissed building speculation over his future with the German manufacturer.
"I will not resign until this team is successful," the 55-year-old told Germany's Auto Motor Und Sport.
Brawn has had an illustrious career in motorsport. As technical director for Benetton, he helped the team win consecutive World Drivers' Championships in 1994 and 1995 with Michael Schumacher, and to take the World Constructors'
Championship in 1995. He is also thought to be the brains behind Ferrari’s unprecedented string of constructors’ and drivers’ titles between 1999 and 2004. Michael Schumacher’s seven World Drivers’ Championship wins are largely due to Brawn’s contribution.
Brawn had a short and unsuccessful stint with Honda GP in 2007-08 – but then bought out the team in 2009, entering it in that year’s Formula One World Championship under a new name: Brawn GP. The team went on to win the World Constructors’
Championship that year and driver Jenson Button won the World Drivers’ Championship. Brawn GP was then bought out by Mercedes-Benz in late 2009, with Ross Brawn retaining the majority of shares and his position as team principal.
Mercedes GP offered much promise, what with Brawn at the helm of affairs and talented young firebrand Nico Rosberg announced as the team’s first driver. Schumacher also joined up shortly thereafter (following Brawn to the team).
Despite the hype however, Mercedes failed to deliver over the course of the season.
There have been growing reports that as part of Mercedes’ restructuring plans for the next season, Brawn’s influence over the team shall be rendered to a limited capacity. While many suggested that the seemingly forced change in
job description might cause Brawn to retire, the team principal has insisted he is not ready to part ways with F1 yet, at least not until his team scores a win.
In his interview with Auto Motor Und Sport, Brawn expressed confidence in Mercedes’ car for 2011 but also admitted that he does not expect his team to win the constructors’ and drivers’ titles the way it did during its
incarnation as Brawn GP.
"Today circumstances are different," said Brawn. "In 2008 we had 750 workers at Brackley [where the Mercedes GP factory is located] and hundreds in Japan at Honda. We don’t have that anymore.
"It is true that we started the development of the 2011 car early, but that does not mean we have therefore put in more resources than the three teams [Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren] ahead of us.
"No, we won't experience this fairy tale of 2009 for a second time. But I am sure that we will have a very good car. We will only know how good when we drive it. If it is as good as we think it is, then we have also the organisation
in the back to develop it during the season."
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