Brawn to return to Ferrari?

The decision which saw Stefano Domenicali leave Ferrari yesterday could open the door for a return to Formula One for Ross Brawn.

Ferrari’s decision has reportedly been down to pressure put on the team by long-time team leader Fernando Alonso.

‘Alonso’s influence in this has been absolutely key, he is more fed up than anyone that Ferrari are, once again, unable to deliver him a race-winning car,’ said Sky Sports Ted Kravitz.

Whilst Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo may well have been in Bahrain for talks with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean Todt, the opportunity to see how far behind Ferrari are in the development race would not have passed the Italian by.

‘Alonso would have been in the background saying to di Montezemolo ‘Come on guys, we really need to get this sorted’. Alonso was instrumental in getting in [Chassis Technical Director] James Allison and he would have been saying ‘Come on, we need a big change now’ – the same ‘big change’ that Stefano Domenicali talked about in his resignation remarks.’

But most intriguingly British Formula One broadcaster Sky Sports F1 believes that the appointment of Marco Mattiacci as the new team principal is just a stop-gap appointment to pave the way for Ross Brawn’s return to the sport and the team.

‘many suspect that the Italian may only prove to be a brief stand-in before Ross Brawn, out of work since leaving Mercedes six months ago, returns to Maranello.’

Brawn left Formula One at the end of last season after he opted to leave Mercedes.

The team had put in place a new management structure, which made the traditional team principal role redundant.

Not wishing to be just one of many chiefs, Brawn retired from Formula One.

The 59-year-old in February insisted that he was walking away from the sport for good, however did leave the door open saying: ‘Come the summer I may take stock and things may change – never say never – but it’s not my plan,’