Formula 1

Brawn urges rivals to take risks

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn believes rival teams need to take more risks to improve their performance as quickly as possible. Ferrari is already nearly 30 points clear at the top of the constructors' standings after just three races and ...

Published: Apr 21, 2004, 6:26 AM

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Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn believes rival teams need to take more risks to improve their performance as quickly as possible. Ferrari is already nearly 30 points clear at the top of the constructors' standings after just three races and some think the Maranello squad will take the championship in a repeat of the 2002 season. However, now that F1 has arrived in Europe, things could start to change.

Ross Brawn signs autographs.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"Other teams have other priorities, the first is to be faster," said Brawn, according to the UK's Daily Telegraph. "Until you achieve that you are not going to beat the rest. Our competitors have to take more risks to progress more quickly. I would do exactly the same if I were in their position."

"We have not yet faced the strongest challenge in terms of conditions but there will be some stiff tests as the season unfolds. It is a shame that people are already writing off the season. We aren't."

"The first three races have not favoured the Michelin runners. The gap we had in Australia and Bahrain was because of the unexpected cooler conditions. I expect to see a bit of normality in Europe. This is a time when the teams get their act together."

With its continuing success, Ferrari also faces continuing critical opinion that the team's dominance is bad for the sport. Brawn can understand the dismay at the lack of competition but in his position he naturally wants his team to be the best -- and Ferrari also has its own fans to keep happy.

"I'm in a position of conflict," he explained. "As an engineer I strive to have the best package but taking a step back as an enthusiast I can see it is better to have stronger competition. I do sympathise with those who say Ferrari's dominance is not good for the sport. We have a huge fan base that loves to see us win. These people would be very unhappy if we were losing."

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