Brawn: “A vision of where we want to be in five years”

By taking control of the Formula 1, Liberty Medium has offered itself a new exhibition and intends to instill its ideas to revive interest in a discipline that has sometimes been criticized in recent years.

If the American firm's projects have been outlined in terms of communication and the opening of the series to other markets, the sporting aspect is also closely scrutinized by the new Motor Sport manager Ross Brawn.

In an interview on the F1 website, the Briton believes that the championship must already adopt a medium-term vision to define what technical developments will be implemented.

“I am firmly convinced that we should establish a vision of where we want to be in five years, explains Ross Brawn. See if we can start to get the teams to work, with us, on the direction to take: what type of engine and what type of car we want.

Some people might argue that five years is too far a leap, but it is not. Additionally, it will give us the ability to anticipate further changes if we believe them to be good and it also means that any decisions we make will be based on the desire to achieve this vision.

Changes, improvements or goals could be achieved well before that too. So if by the end of the year we can have the start of this vision of where we want to be, that would be a significant accomplishment. »

A question of balance

If manufacturers like Mercedes ou Ferrari have dominated the discipline for many years, and have taken precedence over private teams, Ross Brawn does not intend to abandon more modest structures in the new vision of F1.

“It should be an ambition to have the right balance between manufacturers and small teams, Brawn comments. Manufacturers are very important in Formula 1: they add quality.

We have to worry about the manufacturers, because their reasons for being involved are a little different than those of a team owner. However, they are an important part of Formula 1. We need to find solutions adapted to manufacturers and small teams. »

Find the full report and analysis of the Australian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Melbourne, in issue 2107 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands tomorrow.