Interview with Ross Brawn: “Aerodynamic Performance Dominates the Car”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS

Mr. Brawn, you are Team Principal of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. What are the main principles that you follow in the development of a racing car?

Our first priority is to study the regulations carefully for any changes and ensure we fully understand the implications. Then we create the foundations of the car by setting our targets including stiffness, weight, tyres and dynamic behaviour. Aerodynamic performance dominates the car and is the fastest changing area of the design of the car in terms of development and the regulations, so we have to create a platform for achieving maximum aerodynamic potential. One of the key principles is that we know that we can’t stand still otherwise we will move quickly backwards through the field.

How has the Resource Restriction Agreement affected your work, and how do you prioritise resources for maximum efficiency?

The RRA is still maturing and 2012 is the target for when all teams should be operating on the same level, At the moment, there is some variations with the larger teams who are still on their glide path down to the agreed levels due to be achieved in 2012. We are not one of the bigger teams, and we still have some headroom within the RRA to take advantage of. The RRA means that you need to look carefully at all of the ‘included’ positions and budget, assess their roles and ensure that everything is justified. We’ve become much more critical in assessing and applying metrics to the role of everything which is included within the agreement.

Where does Mercedes-Benz technology allow you to make a decisive difference in developing Formula One cars? What role does Daimler play in technical development?

As a new part of the Mercedes-Benz family, we are still discovering those areas of support where we can work closely together and take advantage of synergies between the technology groups. It’s not necessarily about direct solutions as our applications are quite different from that of a road car, but more about the Mercedes methodology and approach. For example, our Driver-In-The-Loop simulator is an area where Mercedes have huge experience in motion technology and behaviour, which can have a direct bearing on our development work. The programme is still in its infancy but we are highly committed to taking advantage of the synergies.

What links are there between the Silver Arrows of today and yesteryear?

It’s very important for any team to have a spirit, character and history; to have something which you can be proud of and aspire to. The standards set by the Silver Arrows of the past provide an ambition for our team to emulate today. It’s our DNA and the reason that Mercedes-Benz is involved in the sport and with our team. We aspire to achieve our own success and continue the story.

CURRICULUM VITAE

+++ Born 1954 in Manchester, England +++ 1971 Trainee Engineer, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority +++ 1976 Machinist, Williams F1 +++ 1977 Mechanic, March Engineering +++ 1978 Mechanic, Williams GP +++ 1979 R&D Manager and Senior Aerodynamicist, Williams GP +++ 1984 Chief Aerodynamicist, Force/Beatrice F1 +++ 1986 Chief Designer, Arrows F1 +++ 1989 Technical Director TWR / Jaguar Racing +++ 1991 Wins Team and Drivers’ FIA World Sports Car Championship with Jaguar Racing +++ 1991 Technical Director, Benetton F1 +++ 1994 Wins Drivers’ Championship with Benetton/Michael Schumacher +++ 1995 Wins Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Benetton/Michael Schumacher +++ 1997 Technical Director, Ferrari +++ 1999 Wins Constructors’ Championship with Ferrari +++ 2000-2004 Wins Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Ferrari/Michael Schumacher +++ 2007 Team Principal, Honda Racing F1 Team +++ March 2009 Team Principal, Brawn GP Formula One Team +++ 2009 Wins Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with Brawn GP/Jenson Button +++ 2010 Awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List +++ since 2010 Team Principal, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team +++