Liberty wants Ross Brawn (4th Update)

UPDATE We forgot to upgrade this rumor to 'fact' last week.

Ross Brawn

01/23/17

Latest rumors suggest that Liberty is said to be eyeing a return to F1 for Ross Brawn, former Mercedes and Ferrari executive, in a team relations role.

11/02/16 Former Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn has moved to shut down recent speculation that he has accepted a leadership position under Formula 1's new owners, US media conglomerate Liberty Media.

Brawn, 61, told BBC Sport that he is doing some consultancy work for the group, which announced its intention to buy the sport in September, but has not received a definitive job offer.

Liberty Media has bought an 18.7 per cent stake in Formula 1, in a $746 million cash deal, and will ultimately take 100% of Delta Topco's shares, the sport's parent company.

"Liberty have not got far enough down the road to make any commitments yet," said Brawn, who left Mercedes at the end of 2013, just before its dominance began under the turbo era.

"I'm doing a little consulting to help them better understand F1 but that's all."

German publication Auto Bild reported that Brawn was set to look after technical and sporting elements in a new role, but Brawn made clear that it "all depends" on what Bernie Ecclestone does.

10/31/16 Former Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn "is set to become F1's new boss and replace current CEO Bernie Ecclestone," according to AUTO BILD.

Brawn has reportedly already "signed a deal with new F1 owners Liberty Media." Motorsports governing body FIA is understood to have approved the move. It is not yet known when the move will be officially announced and what role Ecclestone will play in F1's future.

In a recent interview with the London Telegraph, Brawn said, "Trying to help F1 become a better F1 would be appealing. It would be the one thing that could be interesting."

Liberty Media in September initiated the necessary steps to take over the global racing series. The American company will try to make the sport more attractive to a younger demographic, and Brawn will reportedly play a big role in the effort.

Other names circulated as potential replacements for Ecclestone include Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Group CEO of CSM Sport & Entertainment Zak Brown and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag Autobild

10/31/16 Former Mercedes Team Principal Ross Brawn is "set to become F1's new boss and replace current CEO Bernie Ecclestone." Brawn reportedly already has "signed a deal with new F1 owners Liberty Media," and motorsports governing body FIA is understood to have approved the move.

It is not yet known when the move will be formally announced and what role Ecclestone will play in F1's future. Autobild