Report: Sporting Director Ross Brawn & Accomplice Pat Symonds Set to Retire From F1

Ross Brawn has played one of the most essential roles in Formula 1 over the past few years, creating new technical and sporting regulations which will come into effect next season. Hence, with his goal almost accomplished, it is likely that the former Brawn GP owner will be bidding adieu to F1 over the coming summer.

This retirement doesn’t just apply to Brawn but also to his long-term accomplice, Pat Symonds. The duo have been working together since the Benetton years in the 90s and also stand tall as the primary reason behind Michael Schumacher’s world championship victories in 1994 and 1995.

Michael Schumacher of Germany, driver of the #1 Mild Seven Benetton Renault Benetton B195 Renault RS7 V10 celebrates winning the Belgian Grand Prix on 27th August 1995 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

However, their partnership ended at Benetton, with Brawn following Schumacher into Ferrari. It wasn’t until 2017 when Brawn and Symonds ended up meeting each other anew, thanks to the Liberty Media, who acquired rights to F1 the same year.

This has indeed been a successful five-year stint for the two colleagues. And their success could further hit the peak if their newly drafted regulation changes end up bringing the racing teams closer together in terms of performance.

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F1 colleagues Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds set to exit the ‘great circus’?

According to Soy Motor, both Brawn and Symonds might see off their career after letting by a few months into the 2022 season. This speculation doesn’t really come as a shock, considering the age factor of Brawn and Symonds; While the former is 67 years old, the latter is a couple of years even older.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 31: Ross Brawn, Managing Director (Sporting) of the Formula One Group, talks in a press conference to announce the rules for the 2021 Formula One season during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Assuming they do retire next season, it is unclear as to who would be replacing Brawn as the sporting director of Formula 1. Furthermore, there is also the question of whether the Briton would accept an honorary role within Liberty Media; maybe as an advisor.

On the other hand, Symonds, who has been leading a team of 15 engineers will also back out of F1 after finalizing the creation of regulation changes for the next four years. Following Symonds’ retirement, the 15 engineers will have a new head in Nikolas Tombazis.

Overall, Brawn and Symonds have done an exceptional job in the past five years, giving their best to induce the element of excitement to on-track battles. So, will their work pay off next season? Well, let’s hope so.

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