Brawn hopes he will return to Ferrari

Brawn confirmed that his intentions are to take a sabbatical, as first revealed by Autosport. But he said both himself and Ferrari have left any future plans open for discussions next year, after the Briton has had some rest.

"I've been in Formula One for nearly thirty years now, and the team that has touched my heart - and has really become a part of me and I've become a part of - is Ferrari, no other team," Brawn told a news conference at Monza this morning.

"I just feel I need to have a little break to recharge my batteries and also to give some other guys at Ferrari, some of the guys with great prospects, an opportunity to show what they can do when they are given the full responsibility.

"My wish - and I'm glad that our president [Luca di Montezemolo] and [CEO] Jean [Todt] have agreed to it - is that next year, in the middle of the year, we'll have a meeting to discuss how I feel about my sabbatical, and how they feel about how the team is running, and if it is possible for me to play a part in it in the future."

Brawn's position will be taken up by Mario Almondo, while other changes in the team include the promotion of Stefano Domenicali to sporting director; Aldo Costa as head of the chassis department; and Gilles Simon as head of the engine department.

And Brawn admitted nothing would make him prouder if his successors, whom he mentored at Ferrari over the past decade, will end up surpassing their master.

"I wanted [my sabbatical] to be such that we don't leave a shadow over the people that are now responsible for the position," Brawn said. "It's very important that they have clear decks and they can get on with the job and show what they can do.

"They're my proteges, and nothing would make me prouder than to see these guys do a better job than I've been able to do."

Finally, Brawn emphasized he is not looking to joining other teams, preferring to make a return to Ferrari if the right opportunity came along.

"It's been a very special period for me at Ferrari," the Briton concluded. "Ferrari is in my heart. It's in my family's heart as well.

"And I have no intentions of going to any other team in the future if there's a possibility of coming back to Ferrari."