Ross Brawn returns to Formula 1 in senior Liberty role
Former Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has returned to Formula 1 after being handed a senior role by new owner Liberty Media
Brawn has been named managing director, motorsports by Liberty as part of the restructure that includes Bernie Ecclestone's ousting as chief executive.
The 62-year-old won 19 world titles across stints with Williams, Benetton, Ferrari and his own Brawn GP outfit, and left F1 at the end of the 2013 season after four years with Mercedes.
Brawn said: "It's fantastic to be returning to the world of Formula 1.
"I've enjoyed consulting with Liberty Media these last few months and I'm looking forward to working with Chase [Carey], Sean [Bratches] and the rest of the Formula 1 team to help the evolution of the sport.
"We have an almost unprecedented opportunity to work together with the teams and promoters for a better F1 for them and, most importantly, for the fans."
Chairman Chase Carey, Ecclestone's successor as CEO, said: "I am delighted to welcome Ross back to Formula 1.
"In his 40 years in the sport, he's brought his magic touch to every team with which he has worked, has almost unparalleled technical knowledge, experience and relationships, and I have already benefitted greatly from his advice and expertise."
Brawn will be joined by former ESPN executive vice president of sales and marketing Sean Bratches, who takes on the role of managing director, commercial operations.
"I am thrilled Sean is joining Formula 1," Carey said.
"Sean was a driving force in building ESPN into one of the world's leading sports franchises.
"His expertise and experience in sales, marketing, digital media, and distribution will be invaluable as we grow Formula 1.
"I look forward to working with Ross and Sean, as well as key current executives including Duncan Llowarch our CFO and Sacha Woodward Hill, our general counsel, the FIA, [F1 chairman emeritus] Bernie and Liberty as we work together to make Formula 1 the best it can be for the teams, promoters and fans for years to come."
Previous article
F1's new owner Liberty confirms Bernie Ecclestone's exit as CEO
Next article
F1 to be 'more fan-friendly' after Ecclestone – McLaren's Zak Brown
The times that suggest Verstappen should be confident of F1 Russian GP recovery
For the second race in a row, Mercedes has ended the first day of track action on top. It’s in a commanding position at the Russian Grand Prix once again – this time largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s upcoming engine-change grid penalty. But there’s plenty to suggest all hope is not lost for the championship leader at Sochi
The ‘backwards step’ that is the right move for Formula 1
OPINION: With its days apparently numbered, the MGU-H looks set to be dropped from Formula 1’s future engine rules in order to entice new manufacturers in. While it may appear a change of direction, the benefits for teams and fans could make the decision a worthwhile call
The floundering fortunes of F1’s many Lotus reboots
Team Lotus ceased to exist in 1994 - and yet various parties have been trying to resurrect the hallowed name, in increasingly unrecognisable forms, ever since. DAMIEN SMITH brings GP Racing’s history of the legendary team to an end with a look at those who sought to keep the flame alive in Formula 1
Why the 2021 title fight is far from F1's worst, despite its toxic background
OPINION: Formula 1 reconvenes for the Russian Grand Prix two weeks after the latest blow in ‘Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton’. While the Silverstone and Monza incidents were controversial, they thankfully lacked one element that so far separates the 2021 title fight from the worst examples of ugly championship battles
How F1’s other champion to emerge from 1991 thrived at Lotus
Mika Hakkinen became Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival in Formula 1 in the late-90s and early 2000s, having also made his F1 debut in 1991. But as MARK GALLAGHER recalls, while Schumacher wowed the world with a car that was eminently capable, Hakkinen was fighting to make his mark with a famous team in terminal decline
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
