This news is contained in an updated document issued by F1 regarding the future development of the organization. The documents show that Brown, who turned 67 last month, “expects” to leave. It is understandable that the exact date of leaving has not yet been finalized.
After leaving Mercedes at the end of 2013, Brown temporarily left the sport to enjoy a period of relaxation and adjustment, and then took up his current position in January 2017 shortly after the acquisition by Liberty Media Group. His basic task is to supervise changes in technology and sports rules. The changes in technical rules will be implemented next year, and innovative forms such as sprint projects have also been introduced. It is unclear whether Brown will retain the honorary or advisory position in F1 in the future, nor is it clear who will succeed him as the new director.
In March 2017, Brown chose his former Benetton colleague Simmons to take charge of F1’s new technical department and focus on the formulation of future rules. The new rules were originally scheduled to be implemented this year, but have been postponed to 2022.
With the issuance of these rules and the imminent approval of the 2026 power unit rules, Simmons, who turned 68 in June, decided to leave.
Ross Brawn, Managing Director of Motorsports, and Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula 1
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
In the simultaneous development, the former F1 technical team members under Simmons will be transferred to the FIA. This move is to some extent driven by an EU requirement, which requires the rule-making process and the promotion organization to be separated. Although this request has not been resisted, this personnel change will ensure that the division of responsibilities will be clearer.
However, some teams have expressed concern about F1’s recent participation in rulemaking, which should be the responsibility of the FIA. Simmons assembled a team of about 15 engineers, most of them are former F1 team senior employees. In the rule-making stage, they participated in investigations and studies in many fields, from aerodynamics to new fuels.
It is understandable that most of the people in this team, including aerodynamics director Jason Sommerville (Jason Sommerville) will later become FIA employees. They will work under the leadership of Nicholas Tombazs, the technical director of the single-seater racing agency in charge. However, Craig Wilson, the head of racing performance who played a major role in designing the new circuit and participating in the development of the racing technology package, will remain in F1.
Despite the changes in employers, it is understandable that most people who want to transfer to the FIA will continue to work at the F1 headquarters in central London, while others may be transferred to work at the FIA headquarters in Geneva and Paris. As part of a larger reorganization, some of the F1 departments that were previously based in the crowded London headquarters will move to another base in Beggin Hill.