Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher, a perfect duo
A significant part of Ross Brawn’s long Formula 1 career, which concluded in 2022, peaked with Michael Schumacher’s successes. As Technical Director at Benetton in the early 1990s, the Briton contributed to Schumacher’s double world championship victories in 1994 and 1995, before repeating the feat during Ferrari’s golden era from 2000 to 2004. For five consecutive seasons (six, including the Constructors’ titles), Ferrari claimed the World Drivers’ Championships with Michael Schumacher, who recently turned 56.
On the occasion of the Kaiser’s recent birthday, Ross Brawn gave an interview to *Auto Hebdo*, reflecting on his Formula 1 experiences with Schumacher. The two also reunited for a third and final time between 2010 and 2012. During this period, following the double championship win of Brawn GP (a team acquired from Honda by the British engineer), the team was sold to Mercedes. Ross Brawn became Head of Sporting Management, and Schumacher returned to F1 after his retirement in 2006.
The difference with Lewis Hamilton
Remaining at Mercedes until 2013, Ross Brawn also had the chance to work for one year with another seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. However, comparing the talent and style of the current Ferrari driver to Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn left no doubt: “A meeting like this between people at this level, with an exceptional driver like Michael, happens very rarely – no more than once a decade,” he said. “I worked with Lewis, who is another incredibly fast and talented driver, but with a completely different approach. A fame assumed and sought, a lifestyle in the spotlight, the opposite of the calmness Michael sought. In the end, the same commitment, talent, and desire were there. Only the approach was different. For me, having contributed to each of his seven world titles was simply extraordinary. No one is above Michael.”
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