Brawn rules out returning as tech director

Brawn rules out returning as tech director

By Jonathan Noble Monday, February 19th 2007, 13:09 GMT

Ross Brawn has confirmed that returning to Ferrari as team boss in 2008 is 'an option', after ruling out a comeback as technical director.

The Briton is on a sabbatical from Ferrari, after deciding that he needed a break following a decade in charge of Maranello's technical department.

Speaking to German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Brawn has said that he will sit down for talks with Ferrari's management this summer to sort out his future.

"Ferrari gave me so much that it is only fair if I speak first with them," said Brawn, who made it clear that he would not return to the team in his former technical director role. "If I return, I need a new challenge."

When asked whether he was interested in taking on the role of team principal, as a possible replacement for Jean Todt, Brawn confirmed: "That is an option for the future."

Schumi to test the F2007?

It is very possible that retired seven time world champion Michael Schumacher will return to the wheel of a Ferrari in 2007.

We have learned that at the same time as producing personalised team equipment and race overalls bearing the names of its race and test drivers, Maranello based Ferrari also ordered that Schumacher-branded versions be prepared in the event that the 38-year-old German wants to drive.

For example, we can reveal that four 'Michael Schumacher' branded 2007-spec overalls are already waiting to be worn.

The team's new 'advisor' attended a day of Barcelona testing this week, but Schumacher is expected to conduct a few days at the wheel of the F2007 at another venue - probably Fiorano - later this year.

Bahrain to be crucial test - Raikkonen

A truer picture of each team's competitiveness will be drawn at the upcoming Bahrain tests, according to Kimi Raikkonen.

Some observers think the Finn's new Ferrari moved closer - and perhaps even clear of - the dominant McLarens at the Barcelona test this week.

BMW, Renault and even Red Bull have also appeared to be in good shape around the Circuit de Catalunya, which is traditionally a significant winter test.

But Raikkonen observed on Wednesday: "We will see how it really looks at the next test, where everyone will have new things for their cars."

Ferrari, for example, ran several new pieces at Barcelona but are expected to fit an updated suspension specification at the inaugural Bahrain test.


Raikkonen's team-mate Felipe Massa said in Barcelona: "Our new front and rear wings have moved us forwards quite a lot."

Bahrain, staging six days of running starting late next week, is the last pre-season stop before the Australian Grand Prix.

"It will be a crucial test," Raikkonen emphasised.

Schumacher hints Ferrari boss role unlikely

Michael Schumacher indicated on Wednesday that he is not on the verge of becoming Ferrari's new team boss.

According to a rampant rumour, the former champion's current advisory role is merely a prelude to a new career on the pit wall.

But on a visit to the last day of European testing this pre-season, Schumacher - fresh from a holiday in the Maldives - said in Barcelona: "I am not going to go to all the races this year, but I will go to some in Europe."

The 38-year-old's long-time manager Willi Weber also stepped up his rejection of the speculation as he told the newspaper Bild: "If Michael had wanted to have a full time job at race tracks then he would have stayed as a driver."

Weber admitted that Schumacher is attending a lot of internal team meetings at Maranello with Jean Todt, but said it is more a reflection of the successful German's personality than any preparation for a new job.

"If Michael decides to do something, then he does it with 110 per cent of his attention," Weber said.

Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni also denied the story, which originally appeared in the magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

"Michael is clearly involved with the team, but this report is nonsense," Colajanni, who is the head of Ferrari's Motor Sport Press Office, said.

Schumacher has had all test data and times communicated to him at home, and has been charged with helping his successor, Kimi Raikkonen, settle into his new team.

Schumacher visits Ferrari in Barcelona

Today Michael Schumacher was spotted at the Circuit de Catalunya. The former Formula 1 World Champion and Ferrari driver arrived this morning to watch Ferrari's test programme from the Italian team's pitbox.

According to the team Schumacher's visit is nothing special. "He is just visiting to see what we're doing," a Ferrari spokesperson told GPUpdate.net. "He likes to see how we are doing and that is the only reason why he travelled to Spain."

According to several rumours Michael Schumacher could replace Jean Todt at the end of the year. Schumacher has never visited the Ferrari factory as often as this winter, the German press is reporting.

We're quick says Massa

Ferrari on Tuesday responded to suggestions that it is struggling in the wake of Michael Schumacher's retirement by dominating the testing time sheets in Barcelona.

After striking problems at the Circuit de Catalunya on Monday, the two ultra-reliable F2007 models finished day two first and second quickest, moving Felipe Massa to observe that the red car 'is going very well'.

"I was able to do many laps with a satisfying level of pace. Everything is heading in the right direction," the Brazilian said, according to reports in the Spanish press.

Massa continued: "Today I could be quick and consistent."

Kimi Finishes First Week In The F2007

Today was the fourth and final day of testing this week for Ferrari, working again at the "Ricardo Tormo" Cheste circuit, on the outskirts of Valencia.

In order to make up for the time lost to bad weather over the past few days, Kimi Raikkonen today continued with the F2007 development programme.

The Finnish driver was able to lap consistently using dry weather tyres, covering a total of 116 laps, the quickest in a time of 1:11.847 - second fastest overall on the day.

The team resumes testing on Tuesday at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit. Felipe Massa and Raikkonen will both driving an F2007.