'Brawn to leave Mercedes' - reports

[vcs316]

'Brawn to leave Mercedes'

Team principal Ross Brawn will leave Mercedes at the end of the season, according to a report.

The 58-year-old's future at the Brackley squad has been in doubt following the decision to sign Paddy Lowe from McLaren earlier this year.

Although Lowe was given the position of executive director (technical) for this season, many believed that the squad were grooming him to become team principal next year.

Brawn, meanwhile, admitted that the only way he would stay at Mercedes in 2014 is if he remains in charge, but it appears he didn't get his way.

According to BBC Sport, a source close to the team revealed that 'Brawn and Mercedes have failed to reach an agreement on a role in which he would have been happy to stay at the team.

'Mercedes will now be run in tandem by their two executive directors, Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe, along with non-executive chairman Niki Lauda.'

There have been suggestions that Mercedes wanted to rotate their staff next year as the team believe "a single team principal is an outdated concept", but that clearly was not what Brawn wanted.

"They were hoping to persuade Brawn to stay on in another role that did not involve the day-to-day running of the team," the report adds.

"Negotiations reached an impasse and Brawn decided he had no option but to leave."

Mercedes refused to confirm or deny the report.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8997507/-Brawn-To-Leave-Merc-After-The-Season-

[Hornet]

Saw this on twitter:

@MBrundleF1 2h
Speaking with Niki Lauda last night he's determined to keep Ross Brawn at Merc if he can. That will take some doing to change Ross's mind

[Senna4Ever]

According to a report in german motorsport homepage Eddie Jordan is also joining the "Ross is leaving Merc" Club

[mirafiori]

I will make a prediction Ross Brawn will not be on the pit wall for Mercedes in Brazil.

[Hermann]

"a single team principal is an outdated concept"

Is it? :Hmm

[racingbradley]

Is it? :Hmm

:Hmm I get the impression at Mercedes it's a case of too many want to be in control and it's not a consensus style management.

Ross likes to be the boss and his results speak for themselves. ;-)
I guess the old idoem "too many cooks spoil the broth"could be the trouble"
We have seen it at the BBC :roll

[WS6TransAm01]

Can we get him back? lol

[Nova]

Merc wants results fast, or they may pull the F1 plug.

And If Ross comes back to Ferrari, I'll eat my hat....well, first I gotta get a hat.

But he aint coming back to Ferrari. I think he may simply retire..he's loaded.
If he does stay? Mac or Williams.

[Rob]

If/when he leaves Merc, think he would go to Williams.

Would love to have back in the family though, but cannt see it happening.:-s

[Nova]

Not sure how I feel about it...wouldnt mind if Costa came back though.

[impactX]

A non-executive chairman who execute orders all the time, how does that work?

[ManFromMilan]

I just cannot see Merc doing well after Ross leaves and all the boss' wants to do what they want. But that's good for us, so good riddance...

I just hope there is a way that he will consider coming back to Ferrari.

[mirafiori]

I just cannot see Merc doing well after Ross leaves and all the boss' wants to do what they want. But that's good for us, so good riddance...

I just hope there is a way that he will consider coming back to Ferrari.

Well who knows he may well come back to Ferrari, I would welcome him back, even though I was one of the people who criticized him after secret tyre test:furious. At least he loves Italy, and he still has a house there, and apparently Italy is a fantastic country for fishing which is his passion.

[leygan]

That would be a great opportunity to have him leading Ferrari instead of Stefano. Unfortunately, LdM won't go down that path :(

[shamim179]

It looks like he'll go to McLaren. McLaren-Honda are head hunting him. He has said that he wants to work alongside Alonso so maybe he'll be given the opportunity to do so.

Doubt he'll come back to Ferrari.

[mirafiori]

That would be a great opportunity to have him leading Ferrari instead of Stefano. Unfortunately, LdM won't go down that path :(

To come back to Ferrari does not mean he has to lead, anyway when Ross was at Ferrari before he did not lead.

[racingbradley]

To come back to Ferrari does not mean he has to lead, anyway when Ross was at Ferrari before he did not lead.
True but he has lead since then elsewhere and been very successful. :-)
Brawn GP springs to mind.
I cannot see him taking orders from AN other now ;-)

[Poltergeistes]

if all these rumours are true williams are looking to really up their game and come back to older form, theres talk about massa, smedley, now brawn...

would be interesting to see another season where everythng is up to grabs, with a different winner every race, many teams fighting race by race, because this redbull dominance is getting so boring i cant take it anynore, its making it predictable

[brembo man]

Who will have the better new turbo engine could make things less predictable also. I just hope it's just a false rumour that Red Billions has Perelli in there back pocket. Tires, tires, I feel like that's all we heard about this season. The right choice per track or "Forget about it!" nothing else seemed to be as important. And to think, Perelli is Italian! Be mad at Berlusconi, not Ferrari! :rotfl

[watto2]

As far as the Mercedes team is concerned it appears to be the old situation of an outfit led by an individual works well, a system run by a committee goes nowhere because no one can agree anything!

Good luck in the future Ross and thanks for all the good years!

[FA fan]

Stefano Domenicali has said he would have "no problem" stepping aside as Ferrari Team Principal were the team to move to strengthen their management team, amid speculation over Ross Brawn's 2014 plans.

Brawn's position as Mercedes Team Principal beyond the end of the season is currently shrouded in doubt although the Brackley team themselves have publicly stressed that no decision will be taken, or announced, until after this weekend's season-ending Brazilian GP.

Should Brawn leave then his next F1 destination - provided the Briton, who turns 59 on Saturday, opted to continue his career - has proved to be a hot topic of paddock conversation with the former Ferrari and Benetton technical mastermind having already been linked in recent months to roles at Williams, Honda and McLaren.


A return to Ferrari, where he enjoyed a decade of record-breaking title-winning success with Michael Schumacher between 1997 and 2006, has been considered a longer shot but speculation over a return to Maranello has been stirred after Sky Sports F1's cameras caught Brawn leaving a meeting with Domenicali at Ferrari's headquarters in the Brazilian GP paddock on Friday.

Brawn to Ferrari?
Having failed to win the Drivers' Championship since 2007, the season before Domenicali succeeded Jean Todt, and been beaten by Red Bull in the last four years, Ferrari have already taken steps to strengthen their operation for 2014 by hiring Kimi Raikkonen to partner Fernando Alonso and securing highly-regarded former Lotus Technical Director James Allison.

Domenicali's own position has been the centre of rumour in Italy and asked by Sky F1's Ted Kravitz if he would ever accept being moved into an overseeing role at Maranello if the Scuderia found another Team Principal, the Italian replied: "Of course. If I see that is the best solution I will do it even tomorrow, 100 per cent.



"My interest is to make sure that Ferrari will win again because from our side after four years we could have easily been two and two [championships with Red Bull] instead of four-nil, and details made this difference.

"So in a way it's frustrating but in a way it's very motivating because you see that if you put in place the right details then this dream can be back again in our direction.

"Also I have bosses on top of me that may take that decision, it will be no problem because at the end of the day what is the most important thing is that Ferrari has to become once again the standard for Formula 1."



Domenicali was then asked directly if he would be happy to work with Brawn at Maranello again were the Englishman to become available for next year, to which the Italian gave a coy response.
"I cannot answer to that question because I'm sure whatever answer I will give to that you will be reporting that way and there will be a lot of titles on the newspapers," he told Ted.

"I have such a respect for Ross, as a friend first of all, and as a professional that really let's wait and see."

The ambiguity of Domenicali's latter "wait and see" remark prompted immediate intrigue when dissected by Sky Sport's F1's Kravitz and Johnny Herbert on The F1 Show.

Herbert, who worked with Brawn at Benetton in 1994-95, can see why a Brawn/Ferrari reunion would make sense.

"It would fit in perfectly. If Ross was available you'd be foolish not to take him on board because of the wealth of experience he has in winning races and winning championships. That's what Ferrari need," Herbert said.

"Logically you would think that would be something that they would want to do, so why not say 'let's see'?"

[mirafiori]

As I have said before Brawn could come back to Ferrari, he loves Italy and the life style it offers, he still has a house in Italy. Personally if he comes back to Ferrari, I would welcome him back even if I was one of the few people to criticize him after the secret cheating tyre test.

[DIEK]

The big new report is that Brawn could return to Ferrari, to lead the fabled Italian team that despite having Fernando Alonso at the wheel has failed to win the title in recent years.



Asked on Friday if he is prepared to step into an overseeing role so that someone else might be team boss, Domenicali told Britain’s Sky broadcaster: “Of course.
“If I see that is the best solution I will do it even tomorrow, 100 per cent.
“Also I have bosses on top of me that may take that decision. At the end of the day the most important thing is that Ferrari has to become the standard for Formula 1 once again,” the Italian added.
Asked specifically if he would be happy to work hand-in-hand with Brawn once again, Domenicali said: “I cannot answer that question because whatever answer I give, there will be a lot of titles on the newspapers.
“I have such a respect for Ross, as a friend first of all, and as a professional that, really, let’s wait and see.”

http://grandprix247.com/2013/11/23/domenicali-i-have-such-a-respect-for-ross-brawn-so-lets-wait-and-see/

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Stefano is a good and honest man. However i feel Ross would fit the role better than him.

[Hornet]

I don't usually pay much attention to these rumor, but one thing that caught my attention is Stefano saying "let’s wait and see." Is there anything going on to wait for? :Hmm

[Rob]

I don't usually pay much attention to these rumor, but one thing that caught my attention is Stefano saying "let’s wait and see." Is there anything going on to wait for? :Hmm

who knows :Hmm

:pray;-)

[harry harris]

As I have said before Brawn could come back to Ferrari, he loves Italy and the life style it offers, he still has a house in Italy. Personally if he comes back to Ferrari, I would welcome him back even if I was one of the few people to criticize him after the secret cheating tyre test.

[Italian Spirit]

Who will have the better new turbo engine could make things less predictable also. I just hope it's just a false rumour that Red Billions has Perelli in there back pocket. Tires, tires, I feel like that's all we heard about this season. The right choice per track or "Forget about it!" nothing else seemed to be as important. And to think, Perelli is Italian! Be mad at Berlusconi, not Ferrari! :rotfl

Isn't that you are the one trying to start the "false rumor" about Red Bull and Pirelli? If not, sources, please!

Additionally:
a) It's "Pirelli", not "Perelli".
b) Pirelli is a multinational company, with also Italians stakeholders.
c) What on earth Berlusconi, or any other italian politician, has to do with it?

I, and I'm sure most of TSN members, appreciate your comments, specially the technical ones. Don't spoil your good reputation. :-)

PS - I'm also fed up with this "Tyres story". Blame whoever wanted "more action, more show" (read my lips... :-D)

[paneristi]

Brawn + Byrne = greater winning potential

[tpe]

Exactly what SD said. Anyway I believe that the body language said it all... Try to find the video at youtube.

[GrndLkNatv]

My prediction is Nissan/Renault.....

[vcs316]

Mercedes to announce Brawn departure

Following months of speculation about whether or not Brawn would stay in his role as team principal for another year, sources have told Autosport that an immediate handover to the new regime has now been agreed.

Rather than remain on board to help with preparations for 2014, Brawn has instead elected to ensure a clean transition for the team so will step away from it completely.

He had made it clear for several weeks now that he would only remain with Mercedes if he maintained full control of running the team.

Mercedes non-executive director Niki Lauda had said last month that he hoped Brawn could be persuaded to stay, with a final decision having been due in the days after the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"I am trying everything I can to encourage and motivate him to stay. I am the one who asked him to stay," said Lauda.

"I want him to do it but it is not my decision, it is his decision. If he stays he will be team principal - nothing else - or he will retire."

An official statement about Brawn's departure and the team's plans for 2014 is expected imminently, and could come as early as Thursday.

Brawn had gone into this season involved in the planning process of an eventual handover of power at Mercedes.

The main decision to be made was how long Brawn wished to remain on board before deciding to put a new management structure in place.

Former McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe (pictured) was singled out as the man most likely to take over, but it is more likely the team will be restructured without a single figurehead.

Instead the team's executive directors Lowe and Toto Wolff are set to divide responsibilities across their areas of expertise.

It is not clear what Brawn's long term plans are, nor whether he will retire from F1 completely or return with another team.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-mercedes-announce-brawn-departure-003133369--spt.html?

[ManFromMilan]

Now that he is set to leave the only question remains is, is he going to McLaren or is he returning to Ferrari?

[stefa]

Now that he is set to leave the only question remains is, is he going to McLaren or is he returning to Ferrari?

It would be so good if he comes back to Ferrari!

[mirafiori]

According to reports Ross left Mercedes because he was no longer outright number one, so if he was to go to Ferrari or Mclaren, I assume he would like to be also number one. The question is who deserves to be replaced the most Domenicali or Whitmarsh. As a Ferrari fan now is not the time to change team principal, with all the rule changes due next year now is not the time for changes. I would be OK if Ross come's back but not as number one.

[Hornet]

Brawn might be bringing a few 2014 Merc secret with him to whatever new team he goes to :-E

[F2002]

And now official:

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/25125831

[mirafiori]

Brawn might be bringing a few 2014 Merc secret with him to whatever new team he goes to :-E

For sure.

[vcs316]

Brawn confirms Mercedes exit

After months of speculation Ross Brawn has confirmed he will be leaving the Mercedes F1 team at the end of December.

Brawn said “The most important consideration in my decision to step down from the role as Team Principal was to ensure that the timing was right for the team in order to ensure its future success. The succession planning process that we have implemented during this year means we are now ready to conduct the transition from my current responsibilities to a new leadership team composed of Toto and Paddy.

“Mercedes-Benz has invested significantly in both the personnel and infrastructure at Brackley and Brixworth. Thanks to the one-team approach we have implemented between the two facilities, the team is uniquely positioned to succeed in 2014 and I am proud to have helped lay the foundations for that success.”

“However, 2014 will mark the beginning of a new era in the sport. We therefore felt this was the right time to simultaneously begin a new era of team management to ensure that the organisation is in the strongest possible competitive position for the years to come.

“We can take pride not just in our on-track achievements but also in the organisation we have built at Brackley. In its different guises over the past six seasons, this team has delivered some of the most memorable moments of my career. Our second place in this season’s Constructors’ Championship is an important milestone on the road to championship success. I am confident that the future will hold just as much success for the team and will take real pride in having played my own part in those achievements.”

[ManFromMilan]

It would be so good if he comes back to Ferrari!



Stefa, i really really hope so!

[leygan]

According to reports Ross left Mercedes because he was no longer outright number one, so if he was to go to Ferrari or Mclaren, I assume he would like to be also number one. The question is who deserves to be replaced the most Domenicali or Whitmarsh. As a Ferrari fan now is not the time to change team principal, with all the rule changes due next year now is not the time for changes. I would be OK if Ross come's back but not as number one.

So you think that Stefano has shown ability to adapt to rule changes (e.g. 2009) ? It's been long time since Domenicali should have been replaced, and with Ross available, I believe that would be a great move in the right direction. It would also mean fixing the mistake that the team did in 2007.

[Hermann]

There are some rumours that Brawn is heading towards a FIA position.

[mirafiori]

There are some rumours that Brawn is heading towards a FIA position.

Well after the tyre test situation you would of thought he was already working for the FIA.

[Hermann]

Well after the tyre test situation you would of thought he was already working for the FIA.

:lol

[Hornet]

Well after the tyre test situation you would of thought he was already working for the FIA.

lol :-D

[brembo man]

I just don't trust Brawn. IMO he's a slippery type character.

[diego_alunan]

Yes its confirmed .. i hope he goes to ferrari..

[Hornet]

I just don't trust Brawn. IMO he's a slippery type character.

Well, Formula 1 is all about walking the gray area and getting as close as you can to the limit without getting caught.

We often hear about our competitors cheating, especially Red Bull. It's not that they directly broke any rules, but they are pushing the rule and bending them far enough to not break them. And they are the fastest team.

[LivingHitokiri]

Yes its confirmed .. i hope he goes to ferrari..

I think Domenicali will get another year or two of trust, if he fails then yes i can see Ross returning.

[Stormsearcher]

I think Domenicali will get another year or two of trust, if he fails then yes i can see Ross returning.

By that time Fernando will be in an old age home. :-s

I wanna see Nando win titles with Ferrari.

[Senna4Ever]

Hasn't Ross said - time by time - that he would really like to work with Alonso?
Have something in mind that he said that couple of times ...

I really hope he will come back and bring some fresh air ... and good ideas ... #note: add wish to list for Christmas: Ross at Ferrari

[Rob]

Wouldnt be surprised if he goes to FIA and work for Todt somehow to do with F1 tech regs/loopholes.:Hmm

[vcs316]

Wouldnt be surprised if he goes to FIA and work for Todt somehow to do with F1 tech regs/loopholes.:Hmm

I would rather he came back to Ferrari and helped us identify & exploit the loopholes!!