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Ross Brawn: "Even Ferrari partnership has limits"

Published on 11 Dec 2017 13:46
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By: Rob Veenstra

Ross Brawn has ruled out scrapping F1's plans to replace the current 'power units' after 2020. The now F1 sporting boss was once Ferrari's highly successful technical director, but now he is dealing with the Italian marque's threat to quit.

"I was pretty surprised by these reactions," he told Auto Bild, also referring to Mercedes' similar quit threat. "I was in some of the meetings, and I thought the direction was clear. Everyone agreed unanimously on the new goals that the engines should achieve, and we based the new rules on that."

But Brawn said the disagreements are not terminal. "It's like a restaurant where some like the appetiser but not the main course, and vice versa," said the Briton. "That's why there are new discussions taking place now. If the manufacturers offer better solutions we are open, but staying with the current power units is not an option," he insisted.

He said that's because "60 to 70 per cent" of all F1 fans want louder and more spectacular engines, while new manufacturers will not enter the sport unless there is change.

As for Ferrari's quit threat, Brawn said: "That's a rhetorical question. Of course we do not want to lose Ferrari. Ferrari benefits from formula one and formula one benefits from Ferrari. But every partnership has limits."

"So it's a matter of what Ferrari can accept, and what we can accept. We want to find solutions that keep everyone in formula one, and above all we don't want to lose any iconic teams. They are an important part of formula one and we must respect and listen to them," Brawn added. (GMM)

SPERX

Posts: 21

I am beginning to think Liberty want to destroy F1 as we know and love it, and market something that can be flogged to a short attention span audience. Imagine if UEFA said it was relaxed about Barcelona quitting or the NFL letting the 49ers walk?

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Dec 11 2017 - 14:02

F1 News Ferrari

Replies (8)

SPERX

Posts: 21
I am beginning to think Liberty want to destroy F1 as we know and love it, and market something that can be flogged to a short attention span audience. Imagine if UEFA said it was relaxed about Barcelona quitting or the NFL letting the 49ers walk?
- + 1
- Dec 11 2017 - 14:02
- FatMike
  
  Posts: 153
  Destroy? Breaking down old boys networks and backroom politics at the knowledge that it will have a price is hardly destroying.
  
  These vetos and reputation based powerplays are what killing the sport. McLaren sharkfin manoeuvre anyone?
  + 1
  
  Dec 11 2017 - 19:47
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Mind, I actually didnt mind McLaren's veto in this case, especially since they usually dont have that kind of power, and I didnt like the shark fins or the shark bins.
  + 0
  
  Dec 12 2017 - 12:05
- krommenaas
  
  Posts: 155
  Fatmike: any team could have done what McLaren did, as unanimity was required to renege on the previously agreed rules change.
  + 1
  
  Dec 12 2017 - 16:03
- FatMike
  
  Posts: 153
  @calle.itw & @krommenaas: agree with you both. I was however simply giving an example over the way the backdoor politics and off track strategics affect the racing. At the end of the day the motorsport fans want to see racing.
  + 0
  
  Dec 12 2017 - 19:14
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  True, but backdoor politics isnt always bad. Its a double edged sword, for sure, but in cases like these, I dont mind them. As long as its a discussion and it benefits us, Im all for the politics.
  + 0
  
  Dec 12 2017 - 21:15
2GRX7

Posts: 108
Destroy, or evolve? You sound like a legacy fan? I am as well, but you've got to understand- change is ALWAYS enviable. Due to technology advances, we're watching the fastest F1 cars in history circulate around a track. On the other hand, technology advances have changed the way we live and assimilate information. As a business, you've got to change, or die! First peek at those halos and I threw up in my mouth a little, but I'm sure they'll eventually "beautify" them and I move on! Such is life!
- + 0
- Dec 11 2017 - 15:31
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
"If the manufacturers offer better solutions we are open, but staying with the current power units is not an option," Fair enough, a reasonable statement. But then we must ask what the definition of better is.
- + 0
- Dec 11 2017 - 18:47