Brawn reportedly signed by Liberty Media to head F1
According to a German publication, previous technical director and team owner Ross Brawn has agreed a contract with Liberty Media to become the new chief of Formula One, a role in which he is set to succeed current Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone.
As reported by Auto Bild Motorsport on Monday, Liberty Media have come to an agreement with Ross Brawn to head the company. It is however not sure when official confirmation is expected.
It is understood that the FIA has also given green light for Brawn. The latter should be no surprise, as current FIA President Jean Todt has worked with Brawn at Ferrari between 1997 and 2006, the team's most successful era in its history.
Brawn had previously already commented to the Daily Telegraph that he would be interested to be involved in Formula One if it were to make it a better, more interesting sport again.
It is unclear at the moment how the agreement fits in with Bernie Ecclestone, as the 81-year old was confirmed by Liberty Media to stay on as CEO. The same happened in 2004 already, when Ecclestone's experience was considered valuable enough to keep him on when CVC bought Formula One.
Building on experience
On the back of years of rumours of Ecclestone's departure, and suggestions of him getting replaced by people as Formula E marketer Alejandro Agag or Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner, the deal would be a welcome one for Formula One, as Brawn's invaluable experience and knowledge of the sport would be a major asset.
61-year old Ross Brawn entered Formula One with Williams in 1978 as machinist, moved along several teams before ending up at Jaguar Sportscar racing as the lead designer of the Jaguar XJR-14 which won the 1991 World Sportscar Championship. He subsequently was Technical Director at Benetton F1 Team and Ferrari where both teams realised their most successful periods.
After leaving Ferrari in 2006, he took a sabbatical and rejoined F1 with Honda in 2007. He headed the team's takeover 2 years later when the Japanese manufacturer pulled out, and led the new Brawn GP team into a double championship winner in 2009. Mercedes subsequently bought the team, which he left in 2013 to "go fishing".
