How the car makers' exits affects F1

Ross Brawn has predicted the world's major car makers will return to Formula 1 eventually. But their absence is likely to be felt until that happens.

When Ross Brawn speaks, people, rightly, listen, for the stubble-bearded Brit has conquered everything going in Formula 1 bar the world drivers' championship, and even here it could be argued the seven drivers' titles won by Michael Schumacher and the latest taken by Jenson Button would have headed elsewhere had it not been for the indispensable technical direction and racing nous of the man who turns 55 in a fortnight's time.

Thus when the former championship-winning Benetton and Ferrari technical director and team principal of the eponymous Brawn GP outfit suggests motor manufacturers will return, it is an extremely pleasant and positive bit of news for a Formula 1 increasingly weighed down by negativity.

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