Ross Brawn on Ferrari and the 2017 Formula 1 season. Former Ferrari technical director impressed with Ferrari's performance.

Formula One Managing Director of Motorsports Ross Brawn has admitted to being impressed by Sebastian Vettel’s personal contribution to the excitement of the 2017 season, as Scuderia Ferrari seem to be the only team capable of challenging Mercedes for the F1 title. Ross Brawn, famous for his key role in the ultra-successful Todt-Schumacher era at Ferrari, is now F1’s new sporting boss in the Liberty Media era and was recently interviewed by German newspaper Sport Bild: “What Sebastian is doing in the red car is great advertising for Formula One. Most fans want to see a successful Ferrari team, and Sebastian is the key to it. Mercedes is driving more on the limit, while Sebastian is apparently comfortably on the podium always. The Ferrari is more consistent and that makes for a spectacular Formula 1 season, which is what everybody wants to see.” – Formula 1 sporting chief added.

Mercedes currently lead Ferrari by eight points at the top of the standings ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, but the Maranello team is determined to fight to the very end: “It will be close, I am sure the title will be decided in the last race. Ferrari have the pace to win races, Mercedes are maybe a little bit more experienced when in comes to managing a race and taking decisions on the spur of the moment, which can many times make the difference.” – the former Ferrari technical director explained.

Liberty Media are planning several changes and have recently appointed Nigel Kerr, a former strategic officer at BAR, Honda, Brawn and Mercedes, as finance director: “I am delighted to welcome three extremely experienced figures who have established themselves as experts within Formula 1 over many decades. We are building a team that enables stronger links to be forged between Formula 1’s management and the sport’s various stakeholders, ensuring that regulations are implemented with the involvement of all parties.” – Ross Brawn continued, also referring to former engineers Jason Somerville and Craig Wilson, who are joining Brawn’s team as head of aerodynamics and head of vehicle performance respectively.