Former title-winning team chief becomes managing director, motorsports; Brawn excited "to help the evolution of the sport"
Tuesday 24 January 2017 08:59, UK
Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari and Mercedes chief, has returned to Formula 1 as motorsport managing director as part of the sport's new management structure.
After Liberty Media completed its takeover of the sport's commercial rights and Bernie Ecclestone stepped down as CEO, F1's new US owners revealed a new-look management team and structure.
Having acted as a consultant for Liberty since the firm bought an initial stake last September, Brawn has landed a full-time role in which the 62-year-old is expected to oversee the sporting side of F1.
Sean Bratches, an experienced American TV sports executive, has been appointed managing director, commercial operations.
"It's fantastic to be returning to the world of Formula 1," said Brawn, who left his team principal role at Mercedes in 2013.
"I've enjoyed consulting with Liberty Media these last few months and I'm looking forward to working with Chase [Carey], Sean and the rest of the Formula 1 team to help the evolution of the sport.
"We have an almost unprecedented opportunity to work together with the teams and promoters for a better F1 for them and, most importantly, for the fans."
F1 chairman Chase Carey, who has also succeeded Ecclestone as chief executive officer, said: "I am delighted to welcome Ross back to Formula 1.
"In his 40 years in the sport, he's brought his magic touch to every team with which he has worked, has almost unparalleled technical knowledge, experience and relationships, and I have already benefitted greatly from his advice and expertise."
Brawn won a succession of world titles in the 1990s and 2000s in his role as technical director at first Benetton and then Ferrari, with his partnership with Michael Schumacher one of F1's most successful.
After joining Honda in late 2007, the Englishman led a management buyout when the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of F1 one year later and, with the team running under the Brawn name, won both world titles again with Jenson Button at the wheel in 2009.
He stayed on as team boss following Mercedes' subsequent buyout before departing at the end of 2013.
