DE HARRY KEMBER, USA. Ross Brawn has refused to rule out a return to Ferrari after their president, Luca di Montezemolo, announced he is stepping down. The Englishman left Mercedes at the end of last season and has since been ensconced in a form of pseudo-retirement. Only 59, hes a bit too young to leave F1 behind for good, and it seems likely he will return at some point in the future. Could that be at Ferrari, where he became a household name? Speaking to Auto Motor Und Sport (h/t grandprix247 for the English translation), Brawn said of rumours linking him with the Scuderia: I am living a very different life this year, and it feels good. I am determined not to return to a full-time job. I think at the moment I don’t have a role at Ferrari or anywhere else. My visit to Maranello in May was purely of a private nature. We talked a little about ‘what if’ but nothing serious. You have to give [new team principal] Marco Mattiacci the time to prove what he can do. I am not in contact with Ferrari and I am not actively looking for a new role in Formula One. Never say never, because you never know what options are going to arise, but at the moment I am pursuing some interests outside of the sport that I never had the time to do before. Brawn isnt the only one being linked to Ferrari. A second experienced and highly regarded name has cropped up via numerous sources, including Adam Coopers blog, in relation to a top role at Ferrari—Bob Bell. Another ex-Mercedes man, Bells resignation as technical director was announced on the same day Ferraris former team principal, Stefano Domenicali, left Ferrari. With Montezemolo out of the picture, the Scuderia will almost certainly need an experienced F1 hand running things. Mattiacci, who only got involved in the sport in April, does not fit the bill. Nor does Sergio Marchionne, Montezemolos initial replacement as president. Purely on the speculation side, its possible Mattiacci—who had great success running Ferraris road car operations in the United States—could step up to president. Marchionne could then focus on his other roles as CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, while either Brawn or Bell could come in as team principal. Or perhaps, if were to truly speculate, Ferrari could employ a Mercedes-style management duo—a part-time Brawn (if hes serious about not wanting full-time work) and Bell. Stranger things have happened...
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:21:14 +0000
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