NOVEMBER 28, 2013

Mercedes confirms Brawn exit

As predicted, Mercedes on Thursday confirmed reports team boss Ross Brawn is stepping down.

Ross Brawn. German GP 2013
© Active Pictures

As predicted, Mercedes on Thursday confirmed reports team boss Ross Brawn is stepping down.

In a media statement, the Brackley based team said the 58-year-old, to officially depart Mercedes on the last day of the year, "has chosen to hand over" the reigns to Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe.

"We have had long discussions with Ross about how he could continue with the team," said chairman Niki Lauda, "but it is a basic fact that you cannot hold somebody back when they have chosen to move on."

Brawn's next step is not known, but it is believed he will take a few months off before possibly returning to F1 with McLaren's 2015 engine supplier, Honda.

He was also spotted meeting with Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali last weekend at the Brazilian grand prix.

(GMM)