Ross Brawn opens up on his F1 future with Ferrari on hunt for new boss

Ross Brawn has claimed he will be watching F1 from his sofa as a fan next season despite rumours he could return to Ferrari and replace Mattia Binotto as team principal. The former Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes boss said it was “the right time to retire” as he leaves his role as Managing Director of F1.

Brawn also admitted he was “done” with his role working at a team in what could be a blow to his potential involvement. Brawn has worked for F1 as Managing Director since 2017 tasked with developing the next generation of cars.

He said now was the time to walk away from the sport after completing all the work needed for F1’s next 2026 rules overhaul. Writing in his F1.com column, Brawn said: “I’d moved away from wanting to be part of a team – I decided I’d done enough of that! And this was the only thing that could have possibly appealed.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity by Liberty and it was a labour of love. Now is the right time for me to retire. We have done the bulk of the work, and we are in a consolidation period now.

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“There’s a new car coming in 2026, but that’s four years away, quite distant for me, so it’s better the next group of people take on that mantle. I believe I’m leaving F1 in a great place." He added: “I will now watch F1 from my sofa, cheering and cursing as an F1 fan, pleased that the sport is in a fantastic place and has such a fantastic future. Here’s to great racing.”

Italian newspaper La Stampa claimed Brawn was on the team's shortlist to become the new team boss after Binotto's exit was confirmed. Brawn was at the helm from the late 1990s to the mid 2000’s and was credited with turning around the team’s fortunes to secure their first world title in almost 25 years.

Brawn and Schumacher dominated the sport and lifted five back-to-back world titles between 2000 and 2004.

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Other names in the frame to replace Binotto include AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost, McLaren’s Andreas Seidl and Alfa Romeo’s Frederic Vasseur. Binotto resigned on Tuesday following weeks of speculation about his future as team boss.

Ferrari has confirmed Binotto will remain in charge until December 31 with a replacement set to start in the new year. Binotto explained: “With the regret that this entails, I have decided to conclude my collaboration with Ferrari.

“I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set.”