Brawn denies links with Ferrari's rivals

Brawn left Ferrari at the end of 2006 after ten years as the team's technical director, and he has recently begun discussions about a possible return to the team in the future.

Former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney, sacked by the team this year amid accusations of sabotage and espionage, suggested earlier this week that Brawn was part of a group of people interested in leaving Ferrari for another team.

Stepney, as well as McLaren's suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan, approached Honda team boss Nick Fry earlier this year in hope of joining the Japanese squad as a group.

Brawn, however, has denied any links with other teams, and has said he has only discussed his future with Ferrari.

"Following recent media reportage of my situation and the background and the reasons for my sabbatical I thought it might be helpful to re-confirm my position," Brawn told autosport.com.

"The reasons for taking a sabbatical year from Ferrari were purely personal. After 30 years in motor racing I wanted to devote time to my family and pursue some personal ambitions that time had not allowed.

"Whilst, I am pleased to say, Ferrari was disappointed with my decision, they understood my reasons and asked me to discuss future options with them when I was ready to return to motor racing.

"We have now begun these discussions to see if the requirements of Ferrari and my ambitions might match and to see if there is a possibility of working together in the future.

"After ten fantastic years, the people and culture of Ferrari and Italy is in my blood and Ferrari is my team. Ferrari is the only team or group I have discussed my future with.

"Any reports linking me with other teams or projects are either inaccurate or speculation."