Brawn ‘may retire’ but Lauda wants him to stay

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In the round-up: Niki Lauda says he wants Ross Brawn to stay at Mercedes but reports suggest he is considering retirement.

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Ross Brawn could retire from Formula One at the end of this season (The Mirror)

“We have had some small problems in the team in the past but everything is sorted now. It’s all agreed between him and Paddy and everyone else. He’s No.1. I have tried to persuade him to stay. I want him to stay. We will talk again at the end of the season.”

Ferrari Sporting Spirit exhibition opens (Ferrari)

Luca di Montezemolo: “There are still four races to go where we will field Ferraris that are fighting for the podium with maximum determination from the drivers and the whole team.”

‘Rush’ stunt driver Sean Edwards dies in Porsche crash while coaching younger racers at Queensland Raceway in Australia (The Independent)

“Sean Edwards, current Porsche Supercup championship leader and stunt driver in the recent blockbuster film Rush has died after a car carrying him as passenger crashed into a barrier and burst into flames at the Queensland Raceway in Australia.”

Nico Rosberg: video message Japanese GP 2013 “unsafe release” & P8 (Nico Rosberg via YouTube)

Lotus poised to complete funding deal (Autosport)

Eric Boullier: “Everything should fall in place soon, so once it does we will start to tick the boxes.”

Harsh (Toro Rosso)

Daniel Ricciardo: “I was and am genuinely surprised that the stewards penalised me for the pass on Sutil. When my engineer told me I’d picked up a penalty, it never crossed my mind it was for that. Earlier in the race when I was out-of-sequence on the hard tyre I’d collected a big train of cars behind me so I thought perhaps I’d done something dirty then.”

American Rossi to drive first practice at Austin F1 race (Austin-American Statesman)

“Alexander Rossi will drive in the first practice session at next month’s U.S. Grand Prix, becoming the first American to participate in a Formula One race weekend in six years, the American-Statesman has learned.”

Tempers frayed at Suzuka (MotorSport)

“In amongst this chaos an ecstatic Esteban Gutierrez was celebrating his first points in F1. He arrived at the interview pen, had a few chats and was half way through answering my question when someone ran up to him shouting ‘scales, scales’ and the Mexican had to run off to get weighed!”

Video – Lotus’s long-wheelbase version of the E21 (F1)

“In Korea, Lotus drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean took the long-wheelbase version of the E21 – originally trialled in Italy – to a double podium finish.”

Jenson Button believes new regulations and engines will help McLaren (The Guardian)

“It hurts like hell. If you haven’t ever won a grand prix or won a world championship it doesn’t hurt quite as much but when you have been there and that’s where you normally are, at least fighting for a world championship, even though it hasn’t happened for a while, it really does hurt.”

Time zones and the 2014 F1 calendar (A former F1 doc writes)

“The mechanics, engineers, and of course the drivers all need to be functioning at full efficiency as of Thursday of a race weekend. What about jet lag? How can its negative effects on performance be eliminated, or at least reduced? And are any of these solutions applicable to us? Well there’s good news – and what’s more, there are actually several ways to fight against jet lag.”

2013 edition of Formula One Indian Grand Prix could be the last (The Times of India)

“Although there is some hope of the event returning in 2015, this would require significant lobbying on the part of promoters, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, and the Indian government. That such an effort is worthwhile is beyond doubt.”

Tweets

Comment of the day

@Colossal-Squid on whether Sebastian Vettel will equal Alberto Ascari’s record for nine consecutive wins by the end of the season:

If Vettel does go on to match Ascari’s record then every credit to the man and his team, but I really hope that it doesn’t happen.

I’d really enjoy see another driver or two win between now and the end of the season. I’d take anyone but I’m hoping for Grosjean to get a breakthrough win.

Still, although it would be tedious to watch, if Vettel did win the next four it would be an amazing feat to be able to bear witness to.
@Colossal-Squid

From the forum

Happy birthday!

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If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.

On this day in F1

Tony Rolt was born on this day in 1918, a few weeks before the end of World War One. Before making three appearances in Grand Prix races he fought in World War Two during which time he was captured and imprisoned in the famous Colditz Castle prisoner of war camp near Dresden.

He resumed his racing activities after the war and was on the grid for the first ever round of the world championship at Silverstone in 1950. His other two F1 starts also came at British Grands Prix in 1953 and 1955, after which he retired from competition. He passed away in 2008.

Image © Daimler/Hoch Zwei

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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64 comments on “Brawn ‘may retire’ but Lauda wants him to stay”

  1. Alonso’s first Ferrari looks fantastic in chrome and rocket red! :P

    1. i see what you did there :D

    2. OmarR-Pepper (@)
      16th October 2013, 2:31

      @calum Most important (and Fernando may sometimes regret leaving to Renault in 2008) that ended up in a WDC car the next year

      1. @omarr-pepper There’s probably more regret from Alonso that he didn’t secure the driver’s title in 2007, rather than regret at not getting to drive the championship winning Mclaren of 2008.

  2. RIP Sean Edwards. I saw the movie Rush the other day and the scene he was in was wonderfully executed. I heard about his crash locally, at least he was doing what he loved, as well as sharing his passion and knowledge with another driver. Such a shame, he’d just become engaged as well.

    1. Really sad.

    2. Terrible news indeed. Also, the post-crash footage looked really bad, it’s like the car just went straight (stuck throttle?) into the wall.

    3. Thankfully, I’ve still yet to witness a live motorsports death on television, so mercifully such incidents are rare these days.

      They are still equally unfortunate nonetheless, and my sympathies go out to his family, friends and fellow competitors.

  3. I hate to rain on Dans’ parade but watching the pass I immediately thought “damm he’ll have to give that back” then I thought why haven’t they (team) told him to give it back and why haven’t the commentators commented on him not giving it back. No one could dispute that Dan was of the track so how did so many knowledgeable people think the stewards would let it pass, obviously there must be some room for interpretation in what I thought was a simple, clear rule, please, if you know the rule, explain to me why it was unclear to so many people that the pass could not be allowed.

    1. I think the problem is that his entire car was ahead of Sutil when he left the track. Usually leaving the track while next to or behind the car in front and then gaining an advantage by passing said car (such as Alonso on Kubica at the 2010 British GP, or the more controversial example of Hamilton and Raikkonen at Spa ’08). In the past a car has passed another car, then immediately gone off track and kept position with no penalty – I’m thinking of Vettel’s move on Button in Australia 2011.

      Ricciardo’s penalty is consistent with Hamilton being forced to return the place to Massa in Singapore, so maybe the stewards are now sticking to a coherent approach and fining policy to these incidents, but I think many have an issue with the Ricciardo penalty because, as I’ve outlined, it’s not entirely clear how the stewards at any given race will handle such moves.

      1. Thanks, I guess that is somewhat of a grey area and apparently the stewards are no longer telling the driver to give the place back but going straight to a penalty, which I do think is harsh, on the other hand outbraking a driver before a corner and having to run off the track as a result cannot be allowed, I can’t recall if this was the case with Dan, I didn’t think so at the time.

        1. Yeah I wasn’t 100% sure that Ricciardo was given any message, but maybe Keith’s excellent radio transcripts will tell us more about that. It’s a pretty bad step if stewards are skipping straight to the penalty without allowing drivers to correct the mistake.

          If true then it’ll be easier to wait for the magic DRS button, instead of trying a more entertaining move at another part of the track and risk a penalty.

        2. As far as I’m aware, the stewards only really hand out that instruction if it’s unclear who has right if way. In Ricciardo’s case, it was probably expected that he would recognise the situation on his own and would not need a prompt.

          1. That’s not very good if that is the case, especially for a driver, it can be neigh impossible to know what he should have done.

        3. I was surprised he didn’t give it back too, but as to the stewards giving him the chance to do so rather than a penalty, IIRC he overtook someone else not too long afterwards, so they might not have had that option in fairness.

          1. Couldn’t give it back as Sutil pitted straight after!

      2. @colossal-squid

        I think the problem is that his entire car was ahead of Sutil when he left the track. Usually leaving the track while next to or behind the car in front and then gaining an advantage by passing said car

        I get what you mean, but consider the application for this in braking zones. Many circuits have excessive tarmac run-off. Deliberately braking way too late would mean you got ahead on track before leaving the circuit potentially avoiding a penalty by using that method of thinking.

        The stewards were definitely right to penalise him. I think they need to clarify the time an overtake begins and ends. For example Riciardo left the track after overtaking through 130R; for me this overtake could fairly be described as starting at the exit of Spoon and ending at the Chicane. During the manouver he left the circuit after making a pass, and before finishing the overtake. Thus he needs a penalty. Obviously if he left the track prior to the manouver it has to rationally be assessed whether doing so aided his momentum to get by or not.

        It’s a tricky issue to define a rule against. I think they just have to use common sense to determine if an advantage has been made at any moment during the whole overtaking manouver. This is another reason the driver steward is so important to this decision, as they’ll undoubtedly know more about the situation in reality as opposed to just theory.

        1. @nick-uk I completely agree that allowing such moves as a rule would completely leave such a thing open to abuse. Like you said while they were right to penalise him this time, but similar moves in the past have not been penalised. I think is where Ricciardo’s move and penalty has generated such controversy. It needs clarification, even if this is difficult to do.

          I’m all for your common sense approach, but I think one of the main flaws in the current steward system is that such a common-sense approach might be applied in completely different ways depending on the steward. This might put us back to square one where there’s widely diverse application, exactly what we have here! I guess if anything this incident has shown that there’s a serious flaw in the driver steward system.

    2. My initial reaction was the same as yours @hohum . I believe the only reason he passed Sutil was because he so badly overcooked the corner. To me the off track excursion was the final part of the passing move and I can see why the stewards took action. That’s why teams should be proactive in giving back a place or at least check with race control to see if there is a potential problem. If you wait for the stewards, then you are at the mercy of their whims.

    3. Watching the BBC, the commentators were right on top of it and were surprised he didn’t give it back.

    4. My first thought was ‘They’ll probably penalise him’ and then shook my head when they eventually did because that’s the unforgivable way F1 is at the moment, and I hate it.

      1. LotsOfControl (@for-unlawful-carnal-knowledge)
        16th October 2013, 18:01

        It’s quite simple. Ask yourself this: If there was a gravel trap and not tarmac run off area would Ricciardo made that move? And if he did and went off the track, what would happen to Ricciardo and his car?
        Penalty!

    5. Coulthard was right on it. He immediately said it was a penalty and that the place would have to be handed back. Seems someone wasn’t paying attention.

      1. Seems someone wasn’t paying attention.

        If you’re referring to Hohum there, what makes you so sure that he was watching the BBC?

        1. It’s unlikely considering I believe @hohum is Australian!

          1. Thanks,Squid, Max, yes, here in OZ we get an advert laden version of Sky coverage, kudos to the Beeb.

  4. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    16th October 2013, 1:08

    Is that “WELCOME” behind Brawn (in the photo) a sign he is leaving a free spot for another person? :P

    1. That was very pithy use of that photograph if I don’t say so myself @keithcollantine ;)

    2. Maybe it’s time for Mercedes to give Paddy the front man job. Brawn has to retire one day.

      1. @jcost My guess is they want one more year out of him. With the regulation changes for next year, a time when having lots of top engineering brains could be crucial in solving problems and making the most of the strategy options. After things settle down I’m sure that it’ll be a mutual agreement to leave.

        If I were Brawn I think I’d stick it out for one final year. There’s a chance Mercedes could develop a car and engine which hits the sweet spot and dominates for part or all of the year again and everyone will shower Brawn with praise for “doing it again”. On the other hand if it turns out that someone else gets it right I don’t think Brawn will suffer too much negative sentiment (unless it’s a real dog of a car running round at the back). It’s an unbalanced risk in his favour.

  5. Weren’t the guys on Sky saying something about Ross moving to Williams? That would actually be pretty good I think…cause Williams seem to be pretty lost.

    1. OmarR-Pepper (@)
      16th October 2013, 1:52

      @jaymenon10 if that’s true, Williams will have the chance to hit back and to getinto the midfield in a couple of seasons. To recover their early-2000 level (when they were competitive again, after a short time in the midfield) will be much more difficult, I guess.

    2. Heard that too and wouldn’t mind seeing him at Williams. Also heard McLaren mentioned. Both teams need help to escape their current floundering and Brawn could be the brains to do it.

      1. Yeah..both Mclaren and Williams needs a bit of a jolt..a Ross could prove to be that. However, I doubt he will got to Mclaren, for some reason I dont see it as fit for Ross. He wants to be in total control, and I dont think Woking is a place for that.

        If I remember correctly, in the same conversation on Sky, the guys were saying Ross could move to Williams as a shareholder as well…thats not a stretch of the imagination. Williams need money, and they need leadership…which they appear to be lacking just now.

        1. Good points and probably why Brawn wants to make sure he has the control he wants at Merc or he’s gone. I think you are right, Williams could be a good fit. It would be great to see him bring his talents to Williams and take on such a worthy challenge.

  6. I don’t wish to see Brawn retire.

  7. Brawn to retire, Brawn goes to Honda – I’ve heard this before somewhere.

  8. Whitmarsh was talking about making a headline grabbing technical signing. May be its Brawn. I would love to see Brawn Alonso and Button teamed up at McLaren

    1. Isn’t it that guy from Red Bull? Peter Prodomou is his name and they say he was Newey’s right hand at Red Bull Technology…

      1. yep, but doesn’t that just mean he sharpens Adrian’s pencils?

        1. I really hope you are joking…. Peter Prodromou is one of the most highly regarded aerodynamicists in the business…. He’s been responsible for many design innovations and design process innovations. With relatively limited budgets he produced some aerodynamically efficient Jaguar’s.

          If you ever get the chance, you should read the piece he wrote in an old F1 racing magazine regarding the Jaguar R3, and use of pressure sensitive paint…

        2. @webbo82 And gets the coffee as well as the drawing paper too, let’s not short hand the guy. On his spare time he gets to gawk at old Leyton House designs and dreams.

          Seriously though you never know, he could be good and surpass his samurai master.

          1. @magicgorilla @chetan chotan
            of course I’m joking :-) As a matter of fact, you should probably assume that I’m joking pretty much the whole time. I was more referencing the silly Newey worship that goes on, as if he designs the cars alone, than I was trying to put PP down. Having walked through the offices on a tour, I know first hand how big that department is and how late they were working.
            Thanks, I’ll try and look up that article, I have quite a collection of the magazine.

      2. @jcost
        No wonder that Peter’s office is next to the office of Adrian in the Red Bull factory, I remember Martin Brundel saying that the F1 dream team for him is Fernando Alonso & Lewis Hamilton managed by Ross Brawn, Well since Ferrari has dropped their N°1 driver policy i can see this happening in 2016

  9. Personally for me, these are the possibilities for Brawn, from most likely to least likely.
    1. Move to Honda as their F1 boss. That will give him entire control over their engine program.
    2. Retire and leave F1 altogether. He’s had health problems in the past after all.
    3. Stay at Mercedes as team principal.
    4. Move to Williams as their new team principal. It would have a similar split as he had at Honda with Nick Fry – Ross will handle the racing side, while Claire Williams will handle the commercial side.
    5. Move to McLaren in a “shadow team principal” role. It would have a similar split as described in #4, but Martin Whitmarsh would retain the “team principal” title.

    1. I can’t see Ross being restricted to the engine department at Honda.

      1. But it might be a good compromise for Ross – not as taxing as being a full-on team principal, but still a significant challenge for him to work on.

    2. Once he’s not that old, I don’t see him retiring but if he does, Mercedes will be well served under Paddy Lowe.

    3. Claire Williams – DEPUTY Team Principle

  10. WilliamB (@william-brierty)
    16th October 2013, 7:27

    Forgive me for not bemusing you with an illuminating perspective on the articles above, but I’m sure you’d all permit me a solemn few words on the late Sean Edwards who was killed yesterday. At the time of his death he was one of the finest GT drivers in circulation, and right up there with Stefan Mucke, Frederic Makoweicki, Darren Turner, Rene Rast and Jamie Campbell-Walter. He was also staring a Porsche Supercup championship in the face, which is a championship that has arguably lost some of its status, but the facts are these, he is still comfortably leading the championship, and he won the Monaco round of the Supercup by over 20 seconds. He was killed when his career was on an exponential upward curve. In addition to his Porsche triumphs, he won both the Nurburgring and the Dubai 24 hours this year. And that is what has gutted me most by this news; the promise of what could have been. So there you have him, the excellent young racing driver that was, Sean Edwards: 1986-2013.

    1. @william-brierty Thank you for posting this.

    2. This sums it up.
      Touching words, thank you.

    3. Even thought I don’t watch much GT racing outside of America, it sadness me to see someone with that much talent go. Hope he’s honored well at Petit Le Man.

  11. @keithcollantine great article on time zones. It really shows the level of organization of F1 teams.

    Personally, when I fly to different time zones (over 4 hour difference) I try to adjust the day before by sleeping less if I’m arriving at night or waking up later and sleeping the most I can while aboard if I’m arriving in the morning.

  12. Still not convinced what Niki Lauda brings to Mercedes. If anyone should be retiring, it’s him…

      1. Ahaha ! … thogether with Hunt ! James Hunt !

      2. @bazza-spock Maybe Rat appeal?

    1. Me neither. Jaguar was a complete disaster, and things don’t seem to be going much better at Mercedes.

    2. Lewis Hamilton

  13. How on earth did Fernando get that Mclaren even for a showroom event ???, i mean Ron Dennis is still the Mclaren group CEO

    1. @tifoso1989

      I read a rumour once that Ron infact let him keep it as a sort of gift (or basically we don’t want to remember you present) though I’m not so sure how true that is.

      1. It sounds very logic for me if Ron wants to remove everything that is related to Fernando

  14. Wow,everybody thinks that perez is THA FOOL.

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