F1: Wolff Hopes Angry Brawn Doesn't Quit

Formula 1

F1: Wolff Hopes Angry Brawn Doesn’t Quit

Toto Wolff says he hopes Ross Brawn stays at Mercedes...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted January 23, 2013 GMM Newswire

Rumors continue to fly about Ross Brawn's future. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

With Toto Wolff buying 30 per cent of the German team and becoming executive director, it is strongly rumored that he has wooed McLaren's Paddy Lowe to join him.

That would appear a direct undermining of team principal and technical expert Ross Brawn's position, with Daily Express journalist Bob McKenzie reporting that the 58-year-old is therefore "close to quitting".

Wolff said: "It's all speculation. Ross is here as part of the leading team and I hope he is going to stay."

Pressed, he added: "I have had conversations with Ross and I admire what Ross has done but I need to understand the structure."

McLaren has declined to comment, but if he does leave, 51-year-old Lowe would almost certainly have to serve some 'gardening leave'.

Like Brawn, the position of Mercedes' Nick Fry is reportedly also in serious doubt.

"There are many intelligent people there (at Brackley)," Wolff insisted, "and I'd like to meet them, speak to them and analyze and then make my conclusions.

"There is an organization in place and I'd like to work with it."

As for Wolff's new role, he said he will be mainly devoted to F1, attending all the Grands Prix and the major events on the DTM calendar.