Brawn no in hurry as Merc seat is 'most attractive'

Saturday 21st November 2009

Ross Brawn says he's in no hurry to confirm Jenson Button's replacement, remaining confident that any top driver still without a 2010 race-seat will wait on his decision before signing with another team.

Brawn GP, who will be rebranded as Mercedes GP next season after the German car manufacturer purchased a majority stake in the Championship-winning outfit, has yet to confirm either of its two drivers for 2010.

However, reports claim that it's only a matter of time before Nico Rosberg is announced as the former Williams driver is believed to have signed a contract with Brawn a few months back.

But having lost Button to McLaren earlier this week, the speculation is now surrounding just who will replace the reigning World Champion.

Brawn, though, is in no hurry to make that decision.

"It would be stupid to be carried away and make a quick decision," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "We will draw up a list of potential candidates and then will analys these."

The team boss also he believes that top drivers will wait to sign deals with other teams in the hope of landing the second Brawn GP seat.

He added: "I believe the open race-seat with us is the most attractive seat on the market."

There are rumours that Michael Schumacher, who won his World titles under Brawn's guidance, could make a comeback to Formula One racing with the Mercedes outfit.

Brawn, though, downplayed the reports.

"The last time I spoke with Michael I did not get the impression that he wanted to come back on a long-term basis.

"He did want to help Ferrari in their time of trouble, but it would have been temporary with a limit time."

There is also some speculation that Kimi Raikkonen could head to Mercedes GP after McLaren opted to sign Jenson Button instead of the 2007 World Champion.

However, Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug, a long-time fan of Raikkonen's, would not be drawn on the subject other than to say: "Kimi has my number. He can call me at any time."

Your Comments

Chylout

"well I suppose it is the most attractive seat now that Mclaren is sealed up. Of the top 4 teams, Ferrari, Mclaren and Red Bull all have 2 drivers signed for next season, so he's stating the obvious there. I've no doubt Brawn will end up with a decent driver pairing. Question is, is it attractive enough to tempt either Kimi (although its telling that Kimi seemed to be looking at Mclaren or no-one becuase he wanted a better guarantee of the championship winning car, and Jenson appears to have made the same decision) or to tempt Michael out of retirement. Time will tell whether they get an A-lister or someone like Heidfeld or Kubica (depending on the Renault situation) in the car. In fact, their delay may now be because they are watching the Kubica scenario..."

jgregor

"Well don't faff around too long - you've already let one top driver slip through your fingers. You'll be left with Sato and Piquet Jr at this rate..."

jmartinbaugh

"Brawn GP had early success due to the double diffuser but I think that next season they will struggle. With a pair of new drivers who will hav to get to know the team and the car. If the latest rumour is true that Mercedes want to signe Vettel for 2011 that must mean that Jenson was only going to be offered a 1 year contract rather shoddy behavour on Brawns part as jenson proved his loyalty by a �5 million cut in wages and even having to pay for his own overalls to be laundered, Loyalty works both ways Mr Brawn and Mr Fry."

pasikuikka

"Hulkenberg an option? An option that would make Nico Rosberg the more experienced and #1 driver of the team. If Mercedes GP wants to be more than fastest on the first practice session and then scraping the rookie's car from the wall.

Lewis had huge mileage with F1 car behind him when he joined. He didn't have any testing restrictions and was probably testing/familiarizing himself with McLaren and F1 machinery already when Kimi and Juan PinBall Montoya were the drivers.

Maybe Merc should bring both H�kkinen and Schumacher out of retirement."

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