Toto Wolff gives Ross Brawn the credit for laying the foundation of Mercedes’ winning team

Team Mercedes celebrate after winning the Constructors’ title

Ross was the architect of this success

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has given Ross Brawn the credit for laying the foundation of the team that today clinched the constructors title with three races to go.

Having sold his team to Mercedes in 2010, Brawn stayed as team principal, initiating a long-term plan that would power Mercedes to their first constructors crown. He centered his efforts on the 2014 season that would coincide with a major regulation change.However, after a disappointing second half of 2012 season, the Daimler board lost faith in Brawn and put a new structure in place with Wolff and Lowe essentially taking vertical positions to the Brit. Having spent one season in an uncomfortable environment, Brawn decided to leave the squad, without witnessing the success that lied ahead for the Silver Arrows. Before leaving, he lured key technical people from up and down the pitlane and also poached Lewis Hamilton from McLaren to replace Michael Schumacher following German’s second retirement from the sport.“I have to pinch myself that we are now part of Mercedes-Benz history. Today, our team won the first ever Formula 1 Constructors’ title for Mercedes-Benz and I feel proud and honoured to be part of this group.” “The foundations of this success were built by Ross and he played such an important role in the team to prepare this success,” said Wolff.“We have been able to continue that work, making the right decisions, putting the right resources in place and putting the team on an upward slope; today’s achievement is the result of that. Well done to every single member of the team in the UK and Germany for this world championship.”

We do not interfere with the drivers

Despite wrapping the constructors title, Mercedes insists that there will be no change in their approach as to how they’ll manage drivers Hamilton and Rosberg who are engaged in a two-horse race for the drivers crown. They are allowed to race hard and fair as long as they don’t run into each other.“Of course, the focus will now shift to the battle for the drivers’ title and this will stay as intense as ever for the final three races. We have a healthy lead over Ricciardo in third place but nothing will change in our approach: we want Lewis and Nico to race each other hard and respectfully, as they have done so far this year. They have both made a massive contribution to our success and huge credit goes to both of them for the Constructors’ title today.