Ferrari wants Brawn back (3rd Update)
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| Ross Brawn back to Ferrari? |
(GMM) Ross Brawn could be set to sensationally return to formula one.
The highly respected former technical chief and team boss caused a stir this week when excerpts of his new book blamed his departure on Mercedes' Toto Wolff, Niki Lauda and Paddy Lowe.
"I was surprised," Wolff told the Telegraph in Austin, "because it was not at all how my conversations went with him.
"The whole situation was much more complicated than just trust," he explained. "The board felt there needed to be change in the way the team was run. Succession is always a sensitive topic.
"But my respect is still where it was for him. The book hasn't changed that," Wolff added.
Indeed, Wolff and Brawn might once again be sharing the paddock in the not-too-distant future, if rumors Brawn is being lined up for a top role at McLaren are true. [Ferrari needs him much more than McLaren]
Those rumors follow hot on the heels of Ron Dennis' struggle to stay as McLaren supremo, and rumors team boss Eric Boullier could be heading to Ferrari. [Boullier loses wherever he goes, he would fit right in with the hapless Ferrari team]
"We can confirm that Eric is 100 per cent committed to McLaren and not in talks with Ferrari or any other team," a McLaren spokesman insisted.
But Brawn, 61, has now told Germany's Bild newspaper that he does not rule out returning to F1.
"I miss some parts of my life in formula one," he said. "The teamwork, the spirit and the development of a team and the car."
When asked if he can imagine coming back to F1, Brawn answered: "Never say never."
AR1.com thinks if Brawn returns to F1 it will be with Ferrari who are hapless under Arrivabene's leadership. Ferrari president Marchionne has about had it with the team and there are rumors he wants changes.
07/29/16
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today as Ross Brawn has denied the latest rumors about his potential return to F1.
Some Hockenheim-bound members of the sport's traveling circus spotted the former Ferrari and Mercedes man on the same flight from London to Frankfurt early on Thursday.
It triggered wild speculation Brawn, 61, could come out of retirement to replace James Allison at Ferrari.
But RTL, the German broadcaster, reports that the rumors were wide of the mark, as Brawn was in fact en route to Marburg, on the other side of Frankfurt, for the opening of a Michael Schumacher exhibition.
"In an exclusive interview with RTL presenter Florian Konig, Brawn issued a clear denial about his possible return to Ferrari," RTL said.
07/28/16 Ross Brawn has been spotted on a plane heading to Frankfurt by a handful of British journalists.
Photographer Darren Heath appeared to be first to confirm the sighting, joking that it would "get tongues wagging".
Since the departure of James Allison from Ferrari, the paddock has been buzzing with rumors that Brawn may return to the Scuderia. The former technical director was instrumental in the successful period with Michael Schumacher and the Italian squad is keen to return to winning ways.
Brawn has previously denied that he is seeking a return to Formula One, saying that he has enjoyed life since he left the sport at the end of 2013.
07/18/16 Ross Brawn has emerged as one of the key targets for Ferrari as the Italian outfit weighs up a staffing overhaul on the back of its disappointing campaign according to Franco Nugnes of Motorsport.com.
Following a series of meetings last week hosted by Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene to evaluate what changes need to be made, it has emerged that the team is now contemplating a new approach.
With Marchionne having spoken directly to engineers to get a better idea on what the long-term potential of the SF16-H car is, moves are now being made to put its plan in to action.
Consultancy role
One idea that has gained some traction is to recruit the services of Brawn on a consultancy basis, to help provide guidance on improvements without him actually needing to take on a full-time position.
It is understood that an initial approach from Ferrari has been rejected by Brawn, though, who has deliberately stayed away from F1 since he left the Mercedes team at the end of 2013.
Brawn has no desire to travel to 21 races, nor throw himself back in with the kind of commitment that is now needed to be successful in F1.
However, Ferrari still wants Brawn to become some form of advisor to Marchionne and Arrivabene on technical matters, and provide input on where he believes changes at Maranello need to be made.
It is unclear how such a position would fit in with current technical director James Allison.
Fresh push
It has emerged that a fresh effort is now being made by Ferrari to try to convince Brawn that there is a role within the team that would suit him.
Brawn was an architect of the huge success that Ferrari enjoyed in the early 2000's with Michael Schumacher, when he worked alongside Jean Todt and Rory Byrne.
He also enjoyed title success with Benetton and Brawn GP, plus laid the foundations for the success that Mercedes has enjoyed in recent seasons.
However, since stepping down at Mercedes he has enjoyed time away from F1 and has expressed little interest in coming back.
In a recent interview with Sky, he said that there was a reluctance to return to F1 action.
"My nature when I was involved was 24/7 and I'm not sure I want a 24/7 anymore," he told the broadcaster.
"Never say never about any of those sort of things, but I'm quite content doing what I'm doing and nothing has come along that I would be motivated and interested in." Franco Nugnes/Motorsport.com