Brawn: I’d love to work with Bernie

Since his departure from Formula 1 in 2014, Ross Brawn kept a low profile until the past week where he has re-emerged on the scene giving his views on Formula 1 and capturing numerous headlines in what many believe is him, along with Liberty Media, paving the way for his return to the sport in a senior management position.

Initial reports suggested he was being lined up to replace Bernie Ecclestone at the helm of the sport, but it appears more likely that Brawn will slot in alongside Ecclestone as Liberty prepare for the 84 year old’s departure at the end of 2020.

Until then Brawn may well find himself working alongside Ecclestone, “I’d love to work with him, actually. It would be fascinating to work with him. Bernie’s never accommodated anyone in the past but even Bernie knows he’s mortal, we’re all mortal. I think he said himself, death and taxes are the only two certainties in life.”

“No-one could replace him directly, but could a group of people under his supervision, guidance, start to manage Formula One? Who knows. I don’t think there’s an individual who could do what Bernie did.”

Brawn explained why he thinks Ecclestone is in fact irreplaceable. “I think because of the relationships he’s built over the years. You just don’t walk into those relationships, it’s impossible. A lot of the approach and success he’s had is based on those relationships and that experience.”

“No-one can pick that up, it’s impossible to, and therefore whatever comes after Bernie will certainly be a different structure. I think if you tried to replace Bernie with something the same, I think it would be a disappointment because I don’t know what there is that is the same,” mused Brawn.

During the Brawn GP and Mercedes days Ecclestone and Brawn were often at loggerheads, seldom seeing eye-to-eye, but he is adamant that there is respect between them.

“I haven’t spoken to Bernie since I left the sport,” said Brawn. “We had an understanding, if you like. I probably rankled him on occasion because I stuck to my views and not everyone did. So I think there were times I irritated him. But I always respected what Bernie’s achieved.”

However Brawn points to vastly different management styles between the two, With regards to Ecclestone, Brawn said, “My approach is methodical and structured and Bernie’s is chaotic and impulsive. If those two things ever came together it would be an interesting combination.”

When asked by Bild about Brawn becoming the new F1 chief, Ecclestone scoffed, “This is total nonsense. Ross cannot do anything for us right now. We don’t need an engineer or someone with his kind of skills.”

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