Ross Brawn credits Michael Schumacher with helping Mercedes' success

Ross Brawn has credit Michael Schumacher with helping Mercedes lay the foundations of its recent success.

Schumacher joined Mercedes following their acquisition of Brawn GP and drove for the team for its first three seasons.

He also famously helped Ferrari return to the front when he joined that team from Benetton, with most of the double champion team's technical staff following him to Italy.

"Michael, for sure, contributed to the organization and structure that has gone on to achieve success at Mercedes," Brawn told CNN. "He helped create the success we had at Ferrari and he continued that approach at Mercedes."

"With his knowledge and maturity, sitting with a group of aerodynamicists or vehicle dynamists or tire people and explaining what was needed was invaluable," added Brawn. "He was instrumental in creating the systems that contribute to the success that Mercedes has today."