09/07/2007
NEWS STORY
While one former member of the Ferrari 'dream team' is embroiled in a legal case that could end his career in Formula One, another is thought to be considering returning to the fold.
Speaking yesterday, Jean Todt confirmed that he is to meet with former technical director (and ace strategist) Ross Brawn in the coming weeks to decide the Englishman's future.
Following Michael Schumacher's decision to retire at the end of 2006, Brawn was one of several members of the Maranello 'dream team' to follow suit. The Englishman subsequently revealed that he was taking a year-long sabbatical to pursue his hobbies, namely fishing, travel, spending time with his family and watching Manchester United.
It wasn't long before the speculation began, and earlier this year Honda's Nick Fry claimed that he was in talks with Brawn. Although Brawn never denied the claim, he said that should he decide to return to F1 it would most likely be with the Italian team, and that whatever his decision, Ferrari would be the first to be informed.
But then came the Stepney saga, and Brawn, a close friend of the Englishman, is sure to be having his own thoughts regarding the situation.
Speaking yesterday, Jean Todt confirmed that he will meet with Brawn, but was giving little else away.
"Ross is a great guy," said the Frenchman, "he had some fantastic achievements at Ferrari. He decided to take a sabbatical year. I don't want to speak for him, but he is very sad knowing all that has happened. We are all very sad about what has happened. And there is nothing that will interfere in the choices we have to make for the future. It is something you should ask him, and it is true to say that I mentioned we will meet over the next weeks, and I confirm that we will meet over the next weeks."
There are some who claim that there is massive turmoil within Ferrari and that Todt's own position is in jeopardy as certain people within the Ferrari organization seek a new regime at Maranello, a 'home grown' regime.
There are some who believe that Michael Schumacher was 'forced' into retirement, and that the Stepney Saga is part of a much wider campaign.