Brawn denies role change

The rumour mill has suggested that Brawn could be in line to take over Todt's former role as Ferrari team principal in a move that could keep him at Maranello longer term, and in event beyond the contract existing with most of the senior Ferrari personnel to the end of 2006.

"Jean [Todt] will still be team principal but his new role in the road car division will inevitably occupy his time," Brawn said at Indianapolis. "Jean has done a great job, he is obviously a competent guy and he deserves the role. It doesn't necessarily mean that there will be significant changes though.

"Myself, Stefano Domenicali [director of F1 racing activities] and Nigel Stepney [race technical manager] will be taking on extra responsibility," Brawn continued. "But personally I enjoy the racing and the engineering. I did go to one team principals' meeting to talk about qualifying and it occupied three or four hours. I just don't have that time. It's important that I don't get distracted from the job I am doing. I don't think it's going to change an awful lot."