brawn

"The most important consideration in my decision to step down from the role as team principal was to ensure that the timing was right for the team in order to ensure its future success," Brawn said in the statement.

Brawn believes "the timing is right", even though he has overseen a recruitment drive which has resulted in Mercedes arguably possessing the mostaccomplished backroom of technical staff.

In January, just weeKs after leaving McLaren after 14 years, Hamilton stated he had been given assurances by Brawn the latter's commitment was "for the long term and he is here to try to win with me".

However, plans then changed a bit with Mercedes opting for a soft transition thus allowing the 58-year-old Brawn to stay in control of his own destiny with the German team.

However, Hamilton said that when he had made the decision, it was based on a lot more things than just Brawn, adding that he was not the only thing he came to Mercedes for.

He can certainly afford to do so, after making over PS100million from the sale of his Brawn GP team to Mercedes after winning the world title with Jenson Button in 2009.

Brawn's future has been the subject of speculation ever since Mercedes brought in Paddy Lowe from McLaren, viewed as a potential successor to the 58-year-old.

Although denied by Mercedes at the time, it is a rumour that will not go away until Brawn confirms his intentions for the future, which he has so far declined to do.

Earlier this year Brawn did suggest that when the time was right for him to step aside there would be "a soft handover", with Paddy Lowe the man to fill his shoes following his recruitment from McLaren.

It is a Friday at the headquarters of Mercedes GP Petronas--and that makes Ross Brawn even busier than usual.

ROSS BRAWN is hoping the unpredictability of Monaco will lead to another dream result on Sunday.

2009 fastest lap: Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP) 1min 22.762secs.

MERCEDES Grand Prix boss Ross Brawn has downplayed Michael Schumacher's chances of winning the upcoming Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which opens the 2010 F1 season from March 12 to 14 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).