NOW WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? I fear Ferrari is coming apart at the seams! According to Autosport, Ross Brawn will step down from his post as technical director at Ferrari next year The 51-year-old will take a sabbatical in 2007, with no decision currently made about his long-term future with the team. The sabbatical will end a run of ten seasons for the Briton with Ferrari, and he has worked with Michael Schumacher in all but one season for the past 15 years. The two began working together in 1991, when Schumacher joined the Benetton team mid-season. All of Schumacher's seven world championship titles were captured with Brawn at the helm of the technical department, and the two are known to have a close relationship. Ferrari would not confirm or deny Brawn's situation, a team spokesman telling autosport.com today: "This is one of the various speculations regarding the future of our team. "We can only repeat once again that the structure of the team will be announced." Brawn's departure could be seen as a hint that Schumacher too has decided to retire. However, reports have it that Schumacher is in fact expected to stay on with Ferrari for one more season, partnering Kimi Raikkonen in what will possibly become the strongest driver line-up since Ayrton Senna teamed up with Alain Prost in McLaren, nearly twenty years ago. Brawn himself made it clear that his future with Ferrari does not depend on Schumacher staying on. In an interview earlier this season, he said: "I have a lot of very good friends and colleagues at Ferrari and Michael is one of them and obviously I'll be disappointed when the day comes that he doesn't want to carry on. And an era will pass. But Ferrari is much bigger than that. "Yes, there are still some formal discussions to take place [between Brawn and the team] and they'll happen during the summer. Anyone who is in a responsible position, particularly for a team that they love, like Ferrari, has always got to be thinking about how to groom and develop their successors. "It's only correct that we have an evolution for the future, be it next year, be it two years' time, be it three years or whatever. We will all stop one day and it is important that we have a proper plan for the future." ******* Carol Guess now my multiple big yellow prancing horse flags with his signature near Michael's signature is definitely a keeper!!!!!
If Kimi hasn't already made up his mind about which team he is going to sign with, I imagine a team without Ross Brawn will be less attractive than before. I hope they find a worthy successor for Brawn to help develop the cars for the next several years.
Hi Gary - Ouch is absolutely correct. I am glad we went to the F1 Test Day when we did, aren't you??? Carol
It could still be internet bull****. How many times have we read bad news and it turned out to be junk? Of course I am just wishing... I suppose we will know for sure this weekend on TV
Sorry to say but the source of this information IS NOT INTERNET BULL****. They aren't kin to some of the "other" sites. Carol
Wow that would be a big hit, especially if Jean Todt leaves as well. Look at the lack of influence from Rory Byrne in last years car by Aldo Costa. Maybe they will hire Geoff Willis or Mike Gascoyne as Technical Director, either way Ross is the best man out there.
Yes he did. He also said the Michael Schumacher would marry Pamela Anderson, but we all know that has not happened. Yet.
Pat Symmonds will replace Ross Brawn if Brawn does really decides to leave. And he will return to Ferrari in one year and take over Jean Todt's place as Todt retires next year. This is assuming if Todt does decide to stay for one more year as rumored earlier.
looks like more speculation !!!! http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=28897
The team Rory Byrne-Ross Brawn & Jean Todt was behind Michael Schumaker's 5 WDC. Now that it is slowly disbanding, and that MS himself is at the end of his career, I can't see him racing in 2008. MS would have to adapt to a new management, for maybe one or two seasons. Too much uncertainty that this would be successful IMHO. Byrne & Brawn were known to MS since his days at Beneton. Brawn was a brilliant engineer, but first and foremost an astute strategist who guided MS during GPs, and was behind most of Ferrari race tactics. He was able to analyse the race as it unfolded, carefully timing the pit stops, the fuel loads, etc...
Thank you Ross Brawn. Thank you for all those great memories, your tremendous hard work, your dedication to Scuderia Ferrari and your will to succeed. Best of luck in what ever you decide to do next!
I have the perfect solution! . . . . A man who is most defintely adept at multi-tasking; has a degree in International law; distiinguished in Italian sporting circles; was on the Lancia rally team; ran Italy's first attempt in the America's Cup; general director in co-ordinating the 1990 World Cup Finals in Italy; Enzo Ferrari's assistant in 1973; manager of Scuderia Ferrari in 1974 at age 26; in 1975 & 1977 won two world titles for Ferrari with Lauda; in 2000 secured both driver and constructor titles since 1970 for Ferrari; in 1992 re-assembled the Ferrari F1 team, etc., etc., etc. He re-assembled the puzzle once and can do it again!!! My nomination is: (drum roll please . . ) Mr. Luca C di Montezemolo Carol
My money is on Adrian Newey into the team to take Brawn's slot. Given that RBR use a Ferrari Engine they would maybe not be able to stop him going? Just my thought, no special insight...
I think the ferrari engine deal is off for next year. Newey is probably tied to RBR for a long time, i doubt they'd let him go to Ferrari. Just my two cents
My god, TWENTY years ago (well, 19 anyway). Why does it seem like it was just 7-8 years ago ? I feel old in that I remember F1 from the 80's like it was yesterday, but I don't remember much of the 90's F1 at all ?
