Ross Brawn backs Nico Rosberg’s title bid

F1 News – Ross Brawn admits he hopes Nico Rosberg finally pips Lewis Hamilton to the Formula One title after being beaten for the last two years.

Brawn signed Hamilton to replace Michael Schumacher in 2013, paring him with Rosberg for his final season as Mercedes team principle.

Hamilton has recorded back-to-back successes, winning the 2015 campaign with three rounds to go after a Rosberg error at the US Grand Prix.

But the German has a chance to clinch his first title at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, and Brawn admits he would like to see the German triumph after two years of hurt.

“It would be nice if Nico won because he’s such a tenacious little bugger,” Brawn said. “Lewis spanked him the last couple of years and he’s never given up. That’s really admirable.

“The contest has been fascinating this season because of the ebbs and flows. It only needs one DNF [Did Not Finish] from Nico and the whole thing is completely open.

“Either driver would be a worthy champion, but with Lewis having two in the bag already it would be nice to share them out a bit.”

Brawn is one of the sport’s most successful competitors, playing a part in a total of 20 drivers’ and constructors’ titles across four decades. The 61-year-old masterminded all seven of Schumacher’s titles, first at Benetton and then Ferrari.

He has been working with Formula One’s prospective new owners Liberty Media in an advisory role, and also published a book about his success and failures in the sport.

And despite his prickly past with Bernie Ecclestone, Brawn is open to returning to the sport and even working with Ecclestone in some capacity.

“It’s not out of the question,” he said. “Formula One is Bernie’s kingdom. Anyone in the sport is going to rub up against him at some stage.

“Bernie is the main architect of where Formula One is today. He realised the importance of television and built it into a global sport.

“But equally he sold it, and like me selling my shares in Mercedes, he has to accept that someone else has to take over.

“Bernie is not immortal, so at some stage he is going to hand over the baton. When that happens and how that happens, I’ve got no idea.”

Category: Formula One