Michael Schumacher is upbeat about returning to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix, despite a ten-place grid penalty that will hamper his chances of a good result. "Spa has always been my favourite racetrack and so for that reason alone, I am really looking forward to going back and racing there," said Schumacher. "It has … Continue reading Schumacher upbeat despite grid penalty
Ross Brawn articles archive
Mercedes release Heidfeld to test Pirelli
Posted onMercedes GP has released Nick Heidfeld from his contract as reserve driver with the team to become Pirelli’s official test driver. Heidfeld will start driving for Pirelli at today’s test at the Mugello circuit, behind the wheel of a 2009 Toyota F1 car.
Brawn criticises safety car rules
Posted onRoss Brawn believes a mis-application of the safety car rules cost Michael Schumacher a better finish in the European Grand Prix. Schumacher had to wait at the pit lane exit after taking his pit stop during the safety car period. Brawn said: As the leaders had not been picked up, Michael was waved through and … Continue reading Brawn criticises safety car rules
Mercedes revert to long wheelbase W01
Posted onMercedes has confirmed it will revert to using the long wheelbase version of the W01 in next week’s Turkish Grand Prix. Ross Brawn added the team have “major and very challenging upgrades” planned for the next few races: I am encouraged that we have made progress over the last two races and that we have … Continue reading Mercedes revert to long wheelbase W01
Brawn: Schumacher back where he left off
Posted onRoss Brawn says working with Michael Schumacher at Mercedes feels just the same as it did when the two were at Ferrari together. Speaking at the Circuit de Catalunya today he said: Obviously [Schumacher] stopped because he was a little bit tired of Formula 1. That’s gone now and he’s very passionate about racing again. … Continue reading Brawn: Schumacher back where he left off
“The Brawn Story” (Book review)
Posted onThere’s no shortage of books on the new world champions – as well as the official Jenson Button book we have this offering from Christopher Hilton plus another from Alan Henry (not yet reviewed). This book (and the others) hit the shelves around the same time Brawn announced it was turning into Mercedes and Button … Continue reading “The Brawn Story” (Book review)
Did Honda throw a championship away?
Posted onThe remarkable story of Brawn has generated many column inches since the team won both championships on Sunday. But the flip side to the story is whether Honda’s decision to sell the team ten months ago must now be considered one of F1’s greatest blunders.
Brawn win 2009 F1 constructors’ title
Posted onBrawn have won the 2009 F1 constructors’ championship. Heading into the penultimate race it was a virtual certainty they would beat Red Bull to the crown, as their rivals needed a pair of one-twos from the final race with Brawn not scoring. Although Mark Webber won the race for Red Bull, both Brawns came home … Continue reading Brawn win 2009 F1 constructors’ title
Canon returns to F1 with Brawn
Posted onBrawn has picked up another new sponsor, this one in time for next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. Canon, which famously sponsored the championship-winning Williams-Hondas of the 1980s, will have their logos on the side of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello’s BGP001s. Brawn previously announced beer brand Itaipava as a new sposor for the Brazilian Grand … Continue reading Canon returns to F1 with Brawn
Brawn GP takes Honda F1’s place on the 2009 F1 grid – official
Posted onRoss Brawn has confirmed that his new team Brawn GP will take over from Honda and contest the 2009 F1 season. As has been rumoured in recent weeks the team will use the same Mercedes engines as McLaren and Force India. Ross Brawn will be team principal of his eponymous outfit and Jenson Button and … Continue reading Brawn GP takes Honda F1’s place on the 2009 F1 grid – official
Honda ‘saved’ says Nick Fry
Posted onNick Fry has told the BBC that the Honda F1 team has been saved. Fry said: “All the teams and their support have helped us preserve our team. So I, Ross [Brawn] and our 700 employees thank them.” The team is expected to field Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in its two cars, which they … Continue reading Honda ‘saved’ says Nick Fry
Brawn Racing? Surely not…
Posted onThe F1 world is waiting to discover whether Honda’s team will make it onto the grid next year. Becken has unearthed an interesting detail potentially revealing the name of the new team as Brawn Racing: There’s an interesting history regarding an internet domain registered by a lawyer named Caroline McGrory (former BAR employee!). She taken … Continue reading Brawn Racing? Surely not…
Ross Brawn says FIA don’t help Ferrari. Senna’s GP2 penalty says otherwise
Posted onThe FIA stewards have further muddied the waters about what an “unsafe release” from the pits is. They gave a penalty to GP2 driver Bruno Senna for incident that was almost identical to the one involving Ferrari’s Felipe Massa at Valencia two weeks ago – when Massa got no penalty.
KERS not powerful enough for F1?
Posted onHonda’s Ross Brawn has suggested F1 teams may not use the much-vaunted Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems next year as they are not sure they will improve the performance of their cars: I think each team will be covering both options because no one knows how good KERS will be. Therefore I’m certain that each team … Continue reading KERS not powerful enough for F1?
Rubens Barrichello wants 300 GP starts
Posted onRubens Barrichello will soon become the F1 driver to have started the most races but he’s told the media he wants to go on much longer: It is no secret that my contract expires at the end of the year. I want to extend it, because I think that with Ross Brawn a new and … Continue reading Rubens Barrichello wants 300 GP starts
Ross Brawn and the Honda recovery
Posted onAfter a dismal showing in winter testing Honda’s performance in the first three races of the season has been almost respectable. Jenson Button got the RA108 into the top ten in qualifying at Bahrain – beating Fernando Alonso’s Renault – and reckoned a points finish was on the cards had he not picked up a … Continue reading Ross Brawn and the Honda recovery
Video: 2008 Australian GP preview
Posted onWatch the first F1Fanatic video race preview of 2008 including interviews with Lewis Hamilton and Murray Walker plus a competition to win tickets to the British Grand Prix.
The top 10 posts on F1Fanatic.co.uk
Posted onWhen I did the site redesign last week I added a list of F1Fanatic’s most popular posts in the menu on the right. Unfortunately it does not cover all the articles published from 2005-7 because not all of the data is available. However I have been able to compile a list of the ten most … Continue reading The top 10 posts on F1Fanatic.co.uk
F1 news review: changes at Honda
Posted onWhat’s going on at Honda? Reports indicate chairman Yasuhiro Wada, the man behind Super Aguri, is leaving the team. So is chief designer Kevin Taylor, who had apparently been squeezed out by the rival of ex-BMW man Jorg Zander. Is this Ross Brawn getting his outfit ship-shape?
2008: Honda
Posted onHonda had a nightmare 2007. But chief executive Nick Fry did the right thing by using it as a starting point for major change. Fry scored a major coup by luring Ross Brawn to the team as principal. He’s made several other astute hires in the past 12 months including Loic Bigois (aerodynamics), Jorg Zander … Continue reading 2008: Honda