Is Ross Brawn set to return to Maranello?

Rumors are rife that Ferrari are pulling out all the stops to try and convince its former headman Ross Brawn to return to Ferrari, even if it's just on a consultancy basis.

Given the Scuderia's current state of affairs, which has seen it incapable of mounting and sustaining a challenge on arch-rival Mercedes, a staffing overhaul is being contemplated by president Sergio Marchionne who led a series of crucial meetings last week in Maranello.

The preferred plan of action apparently included convincing former technical director and strategist Ross Brawn, a key pivot at Ferrari during the ultra-successful Scumacher years, to return to the Scuderia in one capacity or the other to help the outfit with its present and future campaigns.

Speaking recently with Sky Sports Martin Brundle at Goodwood, Brawn insisted he had no intention of returning to Formula 1.

"My nature when I was involved was 24/7 and I'm not sure I want a 24/7 anymore," he told Brundle.

"Never say never about any of those sort of things, but I'm quite content doing what I'm doing and nothing has come along that I would be motivated and interested in."

But Ferrari are apparently pushing hard for at least a consultancy-based collaboration with Brawn, hoping the engineer will accept to provide engineering input, although how he would interact with current tech director James Allison is unclear.

During his sit-down with Sky Sports recently, Brawn himself vaunted the talent of Ferrari's Allison.

"They've got some very good people there -James Allison is excellent," Brawn said.

"If they give him the resources and give him the time and put the infrastructure around him, with great drivers, they'll get results."

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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.