Comments on: 3 minutes with…Ross Brawn

By: James Allen

James Allen — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:36:44 +0000

Well he’s a very good organiser and knows how to get the best out of people. He’s done it at three different teams. If he were a footy manager who achieved that he’d be a legend

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:49:11 +0000

Regarding the driving skill of Jenson; I’m always pleased to hear Martin Brundle make a point of how smooth he is with his steering (I can’t actually recall MB giving any similar accolades to any of teh other drivers this season apart from probably that “…Vettel will undoubtedly be a major force in F1 in the future”).

It seems to me that JB is so naturally suited to the BGP01. It’s almost only ever once in a driver’s lifetime that this happens (look how long he’s been in F1 before getting a car he deserves). It seems clear to me that the BGP01 responds better to a smooth style.

Compare Jenson’s smoothness with Rubens’, shall we say, somewhat physical approach to driving and it’s not hard at all to understand the basic differences in the times between the two cars because the BGP01 doesn’t like being flung around.

Anyhoo, I’ll be there next weekend to go bananas with everyone else when JB puts the WDC even further out of reach. Ross Brawn must sleep very well these days.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:56:21 +0000

Good point, Suzy

By: Suzy

Suzy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:49:55 +0000

It seems Ross Brawn is actually surprised by Jenson’s form this year. Let’s not forget he was trying to get Alonso for this year (BTW I’m glad he didn’t because then we would hear no end of the Alonso made Brawn great BS), so that indicates even he didn’t really believe in him. I’m glad to see Jenson prove all doubters wrong and show how important the car (thus the engineers, team managers etc. – so the team) is in F1, because often the TEAM behind a driver is getting little credit from the public as people tend to believe it’s all because of their favourite driver why that car is good.

Jenson was no worse driver before, he simply didn’t have the car. Similarly, Alonso or Hamilton aren’t worse drivers now than they were before, but it’s a team sport, not an individual one and the car is the most important element in everybody’s success.

By: The Kitchen Cynic

The Kitchen Cynic — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:43:48 +0000

Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall of the Honda boardroom on alternate Monday mornings…?

By: Accidental Mick

Accidental Mick — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:37:23 +0000

@ Kammy T
On the F1fanatic blog someone posted a link to the information that Honda still owned over 50% of Brawn GP. With Brawn’s success this year, perhaps Honda will toss some money into the hat to make it Honda Brawn?

@James
How much of the Benneton dominance followed by the Ferrari/Schumaker dominance can be attributed to Ross Brawn?

By: James Allen

James Allen — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:22:33 +0000

Good question and one that was raised earlier in the year. I think the Honda was heavy as well as down on power last year, but they would have been allowed to bring it up to the level of the others over the winter (as Renault were). So hard to say, but definitely there are a few tenths in the Mercedes engine.

By: monktonnik

monktonnik — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:18:40 +0000

A fair point James, and one I have heard expressed by the man himself. I am sure that his loyalties to FOTA and Mercedes are genuine and that he is a decent man for remembering that when others wouldn’t. I respect him for that.

My questioning of his position is more speculation as to why he wouldn’t try to exploit the potential advantage for the future. Again, probably because he is adecent guy.

By: kammy T

kammy T — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:15:38 +0000

Good to hear Ross mention working on next years car.

James do you think they have the abilty to develop a quick car next year?

This years car is after all, the most expensive and most developed car on the grid. They have lost Honda, lacking a full sponsorship and potential engine changes (I dont see Merc leaving them though), plus rule changes again (?)

I hope they can stay at the sharpe end next year, but I doubt it.

By: Tom D'Roza

Tom D'Roza — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:09:07 +0000

James, here’s a question I’ve been wondering about for a while now: Where would the Brawn car be relative to the others if it still had a Honda engine in the back? i.e. how much of the performance is down to the car and how much is the Merc engine? What do you think?