Ross Brawn dispels reports of uncertain future at Mercedes

Ross Brawn

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has confirmed that the tyre test scandal has not affected his position with the team and that he had the complete support of the board members.

Brawn, after admitting at the Canadian Grand Prix that it was his decision to conduct the tyre test with Pirelli, had to testify in front of the FIA’s International Tribunal on Thursday in an effort to clear Mercedes’s image.

While Brawn’s position, along with that of Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff, in the team came under scrutiny earlier this year, Brawn dispelled the rumors during an interview with Sky Sport’s F1 Show, saying that at no point during the whole issue was his future at the team discussed.

“To be honest it’s never been discussed, so the situation hasn’t changed,” he told Sky Sports.

“The board has been very supportive in this matter. For them it was also very important that the issue of good faith was established and they’ve been very supportive and been aware of all the facts behind what has happened. I couldn’t have asked for more support from them.”

After being found guilty of breaking the rules by the International Tribunal, Mercedes have been banned from the Young Driver Test later this month.

Though the intensity of the punishment has considerably reduced, Brawn still feels that missing the test would be costly for the car’s development.

“I think the young driver test is a penalty, any perception that it’s not significant is not correct. We had quite a comprehensive programme planned for the young driver test so it will be a blow to the team and things that we were hoping to try or develop with the young drivers we will lose,” Brawn added.

ESPN F1