Ross Brawn announces his retirement

Ross Brawn will leave the Formula 1. The 68-year-old Briton has decided to retire from the world of motorsport and F1. First an engineer, then team director and finally technical and sporting director of Formula 1, the man with a 45-year career formalized his retirement on Monday, in a letter published on the official Formula 1 website.

“I have loved everything I have done over the last few years, said Ross Brawn.I didn't want to be part of a team anymore, I decided I'd had enough! (…) I was very lucky that Liberty [Media] gave me this opportunity and it was a labor of love. It's the right time for me to retire. We've done the heavy lifting, and we're in a period of consolidation now. There's a new car coming in 2026, but that's four years away, which is pretty far away for me. It's better for the next group of people to take over. I think I leave F1 in a great state. »

Ross Brawn, an impressive career

Arriving in Formula 1 in 1976 with March, as a simple mechanic, Ross Brawn then climbed the ranks little by little. Aerodynamicist at Williams, Haas Lola and Arrows, he became technical director at Benetton in 1991. After two world titles with Schumacher, the Briton will become a real figure in Formula 1 in his years Ferrari, between 1997 and 2006 thanks in particular to his presence on the pit wall, to concoct offensive strategies that have become legendary.

After a sabbatical year, Brawn joined Honda in 2007 as technical and sporting director. He took over the reins of the team after the withdrawal of the Japanese brand and surprised the F1 world by winning the world championship in 2009 with his eponymous team, BrawnGP. Ross Brawn remains the director of the structure of Brackley despite the purchase of his team by Mercedes until 2013, when he decided to retire for the first time. Finally, four years later, he joined Liberty Media, then the new owner of Formula 1, as technical and sporting director of the category.

“I will now watch F1 from my sofa, like a fan”

“I have loved every minute of my 46-year career and have been fortunate to work with great teams, great drivers and great people. I wouldn't have changed anything. What is certain is that without the support of my wife and my family, I could not have done it and I would not have wanted to do it. I will now watch F1 from my couch, clapping and cursing like an F1 fan, happy that the sport is in a fantastic place and has such a fantastic future." declared an emotional Ross Brawn and proud of his long journey in the premier category. Good luck, Mr. Brawn, and happy retirement!

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