Ross Brawn feels this was the right time to retire from F1 and pave way for next group of people to take up the mantle.
Having been part of F1 as part of a race team earlier and later on in the management side of the sport, Brawn has given a lot of time towards the betterment. He did have a gap after he left Mercedes before returning with Liberty Media in the new era.
He was part of the core team that took over from Bernie Ecclestone and he looked at a smooth transition. He was also there for the new regulations that kicked-off this year, but with his age and time at hand for the next regulation, he feels the time is right now.
The engine regulation will only happen in 2026 and Brawn feels, the time is now right to retire and make space for next batch of people. While it was a long-shot but it also firms that there is no chance for him to replace Mattia Binotto at Ferrari.
“I’ve loved everything I’ve done in the last few years,” wrote Brawn in his column. “I’d moved away from wanting to be part of a team – I decided I’d done enough of that! And this was the only thing that could have possibly appealed. I’ve been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity by Liberty and it was a labour of love.
“Now is the right time for me to retire. We have done the bulk of the work, and we are in a consolidation period now. There’s a new car coming in 2026, but that’s four years away, quite distant for me, so it’s better the next group of people take on that mantle. I believe I’m leaving F1 in a great place.
“I’ve loved almost every minute of my 46-year career and I’ve been fortunate to have worked with many great teams, great drivers and great people. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. One certainty is that without my wife and family support I couldn’t have done it and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it.
“I will now watch F1 from my sofa, cheering and cursing as an F1 fan, pleased that the sport is in a fantastic place and has such a fantastic future. Here’s to great racing,” summed up Brawn, who last grand prix was the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP.
Here’s news on Mattia Binotto leaving Ferrari
