Brawn: 'Ferrari problems haven't erased its achievements'

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Ross Brawn, perhaps the pivotal member of Ferrari's golden era dream team along with Michael Schumacher, isn't indifferent to the Scuderia's current plight.

A disastrous three-race run, marked by misfortune and reliability woes, has seen Sebastian Vettel's title hopes virtually collapse.

Formula 1's sporting manager, who is hard at work defining the sport's future, feels for the team which he helped guide to hegemonic domination for many years in the 2000s.

Brawn is therefore no stranger to setbacks and massive pressure applied from within.

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"Having experienced reliability woes of this kind at first hand with various teams, I know how painful it can be to see the hard work of so many people undone in a moment," he said.

"I have some sympathy for Ferrari at this difficult time.

"The team comes under incredible pressure, especially at home, and it's easy for heads to drop. But the key is to stay calm and focus on immediate goals."

Brawn insists however that the Scuderia's recent failures take nothing away from the performance level it has achieved this season.

"However the season ends, Ferrari should be pleased with what it's achieved in 2017," he concluded.

"For the first time in the hybrid era, Mercedes has come up against a rival capable of fighting for the title.

It's been a long time since Ferrari have been as competitive and the problems of recent weeks haven't erased that fact."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.