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Ross Brawn: ‘Don’t let us down by taking fairy-tale win away’
David Smith30 Mar 2009
Formula One team owner Ross Brawn has revealed his “concern” that the FIA may strip Britain's Jenson Button of his sensational victory in the Australian Grand Prix and leave the sport battling for its credibility.
Brawn, who just three weeks ago saved the financially-crippled Honda team from folding with an 11th-hour buy-out, described the astonishing one-two finish for Button and Brazilian team-mate Rubens Barrichello as a “fairy-tale”.
But he now fears a nightmare scenario in which the FIA, the sports' governing body, will uphold a protest over the technical legality of his cars, made by rival teams Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull.
Incredibly, third-placed world champion Lewis Hamilton, who went into the race in Melbourne fearing his McLaren was so uncompetitive that it wouldn't score a single point, could be declared winner of the opening round of the new title chase if the two Brawn GP drivers are disqualified when an FIA Court of Appeal sits in Paris on 14 April.
FIA officials must decide if Grand Prix stewards in Australia were right to accept that the diffusers — a vital part of the aerodynamic package — fitted to the cars of Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams, conformed to the rules.
Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull — who claim the diffusers at the centre of the dispute offer a significant performance advantage — subsequently appealed against that stewards' ruling. The three affected teams were still allowed to race, in the knowledge that they could be scrubbed from the results. And what drama ensued.
Button drove a brilliant race from pole position to claim only his second win in 156 starts. When Barrichello came through to second place after the BMW-Sauber of Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull collided in the closing laps, it was the first time a team had taken a one-two finish on their debut since Mercedes achieved the feat in France 55 years ago.
For Formula One, whose credibility is so often tainted by controversy, it was a timely
feel-good result. But Brawn, the technical genius who guided Michael Schumacher to his record seven world titles, is afraid that an FIA ruling that goes against his drivers could drag the sport back down. “We're concerned about the appeal,” he said. “I hope we don't shoot ourselves in the foot and do something which damages Formula One. I don't think there should be any issues with the result.
“The stewards told us that our cars were legal and we have to assume we can go on their advice.”
Button backed his boss. He said: “At the moment, I'm enjoying this victory because it is a victory and I think it should stand, for sure.”
Reader views (9)
Why is it that when there is a stewards enquiry in Horse racing, it is resolved before the end of the meeting, and before the presentation of trophies. F1 need to get real, they are making a laughing stock of a serious and well supported sport. With such bias toward Ferrari one wonders if it is really a competition at all. By the way they have now got rid the threat of Hamilton winning by default. He has now been disqualified (clear explanation required!) despite Toyota withrawing their appeal. Leaves the door open to disqualify team Brawn- something very nasty is going on and it is not sporting.
- Jan Saunders, Malaga Spain, 02/04/2009 11:25
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Each year the owners and teams become more child like in their reaction to anything out of the norm.
- Fon Bidell, Kerrville,Texas USA, 31/03/2009 00:30
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They allowed these vehicles to race, the Drivers then put themselves on the line so the result should stand.
In yesteryear the British Minis were disqualified after finishing the Monte Carlo Rally because of headlight regs yet they were permitted to take part in the final test at great risk to their lives.
- Ayliff Mcnab, Spain, 30/03/2009 16:26
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Ferrari? made a complaint? - that is so unlike them!
Still they may withdraw when they realise it might hand a victory to Lewis ..................
- Karen Howard, Chelmsford Essex, 30/03/2009 16:18
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You have beaten Ferrari, now you must face the concequences, Mr Bond...er...Brawn.
- Stevo, London, 30/03/2009 15:21
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If Trulli had not been docked 25 seconds after the end of the race five of the first seven cars would have had 'allegedly' illegal diffusers. The second Williams did not finish because it ended up in a wall. Makes you think!
- Michael, London, 30/03/2009 14:09
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If Mr Brawn is this worried about the legality of his cars, why did he take the risk in the first place. If his team is disqualified it's his fault. Bad luck Jenson, you could be out of the frying pan and back in the fire.
- Robin, Brentford, UK, 30/03/2009 13:41
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No doubt the FIA will once again support Ferrari. There is an unhealthy overrepresentation of Ferrari on the board of the FIA. Why is it when one person, or three in this case has the brilliance to come up with a new idea it is quashed if Ferarri do not have it. Brawn has gain proved his brilliance. he and Jean Todt were as responsible for Michael Schumacher's success as the man himself.
- Simon Wells, BRENTWOOD ENGLAND, 30/03/2009 13:36
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Why does the FIA have to always drag these things out? If someone wants to hold a senior position on FIA with responsibility for these type of decisions, surely they should attend every GP meeting and answer any objections there and then as they are raised - why do we have to wait until after the next GP before a judgement - they really should get in the real world and respond in a fashion fit for the modern era.
- Tim, Marlborough, Wiltshire UK, 30/03/2009 12:33
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