Was Brawn a flash in the pan?

No I believe they stopped development on there car mid season to start on the 2010 car, they cut it a bit to fine though, however the car was still a front runner in the last race.

Admittedly they had a great start with there interpretation of the rules, but the car overall was a class act, with that Merc power plant.

As for the future I believe Merc will buy in to Brawn big time, Merc want more say in how things are done, something they cannot get at Mclaren, so the future could be rosy.

 

What he said.

 

Don't underestimate Brawn. He's no dummy.

 

That is possibly the understatement of the decade.
Brawn manages to parlay Honda's misery into a team he owns, without investing a single real dollar, Honda picking up the bulk of the bills, out maneuvering everyone else on the rules, gathering a massive points leads for WDC and WCC, and coasting to the finish without expending any real money or effort at the tail end of the season.

This guy is brilliant! Machiavellian, but brilliant nonetheless. Gotta love the man. Anyone who can outsmart BE and the gay nazi at their own game is someone special.

 

All true.

And not to forget: Before that he won a couple WDCs for Renault (who never won as a team) and then 5 for Ferrari (ending a 21 year drout).

 

I have to admit Brawn's season is reminiscent of Lotus' in 1978. Odds are poor they'll come anywhere near replicating the results they had this season although Rosberg will keep them in the fray.

 

I would agree with that assessment. They won't be out front running away with the victories and WDC anymore, but they will be a force to reckoned with.

As I said before, I'm pretty sure we're in for a very cool season next year with a bunch of teams capable of a podium at every race: Ferrari, McLaren, Brawn, RedBull and we'll have some interesting mid fielders with Sauber, Toro Rosso, Williams, Renault and Force India and then we have all the newly added rolling chicanes.

 

+10

 

Ahh yes agreed it's looking good.

Although F1 is full of surprises, I forgot about Ross Brawns career history that in it's self keeps the odds high BrawnGP will be a force.

 

Underestimate Ross Brawn at your own risk.
The nature of F1 today with the limits on testing seems to force a team to start design early, come out of the gates as strong as possible, rack up points early and hope that you have enough of an edge to redirect your efforts to the next season before the current one is over so you can start the process over again.
In a way its like Colin Chapman's description of the perfect race car. It should be built strong enough to just make it to the finish line and no stronger.

 

+1.

Brawn got lucky this year. doesn't mean he will never be at the top again. his track record (excuse the pun) speaks for itself.

 

"Chance favors the prepared mind"
Louis Pasteur

 

If the question is, will Brawn be a contender for the WCC next year - then I think they will not. I think they will occasionally win a race, and will generally score well, but at the half way point, I don't think anyone will be considering Brawn as a serious title contender.

But we'll see.

 

indeed. and ol' Louie made a fortune in milk...

 

What he said.

 

Not to mention the fact that he's probably the most uncontroversial figure in F1. Respected by all, never at odds with anyone.

 

I'm as much of a Ross Brawn fan as anyone, but if you think this season was won as a result of his brilliance you're delusional. Next season is going to be much more challenging for them but Brawn himself can be counted on to be just as brilliant. Let's see where they finish, I'm betting against another WCC (or WDC).

 

I think 2009 just demonstrated some of the insanity of current FIA rules.

The "engine freeze" contributed to transforming a back marker into a leader by swapping Honda power for a Merc. Like the slotted diffuser, it's all about "interpreting" the rules -- and how your "durability" enhancements change the "frozen" engine.

In F1, engineering the car has been replaced by "massaging" the rules.

F1 has devolved into a game of "mother may I", where Max could thumb up or thumb down any change at his whim.

In 2010, we'll see if the new FIA president is any change at all, when we see how the rules change to support the teams forced into the Cossie mills.

 

I disagree. They haven't got any money (sponsors) at the moment, and they have to develop a new car now. Unless they get a good sponsor very soon I can't see them being much better than 4th next season. Red bull, Ferrari and mclaren all have the money and sponsors. Don't forget that the red bull chassis has been VERY good this season and has been let down by a **** engine.

 

Bas, isn't the big unknown how much of a redesign the new fuel regs will require?
If they result in as big a change as I suspect, 2010 will be as much of a clean sheet year as 2009 was and teams that got a head start will have an advantage.

 

Well interpretation of the rules is fair game, may the best prevail, however I agree not at the whim of some jumped up porno mad dictator and his circus fixing side kick.

This was from a blog : A event was attended by FIA technical experts, circuit designers, technical directors, senior engineers and drivers from F1, NASCAR and IRL as well as other major championships. The aim of the seminar was to share the latest research and to examine recommendations to improve overtaking opportunities. Issues discussed included aerodynamic design solutions, circuit design and layout and potential new sporting regulations to create more opportunities.

The FIA will prepare a report based on the findings of the seminar and subsequent expert group discussions, which will be widely disseminated in a consultation with the international motor sport community.

We hear that among those present were Michael Schumacher, Gil de Ferran, Sam Michael, circuit designers Hermann Tilke and Clive Bowen.

So at least we are heading in the right direction, Todt I hope shakes of the shackles of Max and lets the teams FOTA have some input.

IIRC Ross B last year brought up the question of what's legal and what's not he wasn't listened to.

 

indeed. I think they need a fairly big change because of the bigger tanks, and that's why I'm ruling Brawn out a little because as far as we know, they have little money and so far no new sponsors.

Red Bull, Ferrari and Mclaren on the other hand...

Mclaren did REALLY well nearing the end of the season and improved much, I think that Ferrari and Mclaren will both start completely over though with no KERS. Red Bull have the biggest advantage since they have the money AND their car was VERY good this season.