Hamilton desperate for Brawn to commit to the Mercedes project

Not for the first time this season stories emerged at the start of the week claiming Brawn would leave the Brackley-based marque at the end of the year.

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.

There are also suggestions that with the new powertrain regulations for next season, and with Mercedes one of F1’s three manufacturers, they will be at the forefront of any title challenge.

To that end, it would appear foolish for Brawn to decide to walk away when he potentially faces his best opportunity to make Mercedes world champions since the German giant bought out Brawn GP following their 2009 title-winning campaign.

Hamilton, for one, would hate to see Brawn go. He said: “I get on really well with Ross and I’ve had some really good conversations with him. Before I made my decision we sat down together and he took me through the team’s plans and where the team was going.

“Ross, Niki (Lauda, non-executive chairman) and Dr (Dieter) Zetsche (chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars) were all very influential on bringing me to the team.

“He’s a great boss and I’m enjoying working with him. I don’t know what his plans are for the future, but of course I’d like him to stay.”

Asked if he would tell Brawn not to go, Hamilton added: “I’m sure that helps. I’m sure that can help.”

Team-mate Nico Rosberg echoed Hamilton’s sentiments as he said: “For the team and me it would be great if he stayed.

“I get on well with him, and he’s a great team principal, which is all down to his approach and personality as a team leader. People respect him.”