Brawn return to F1: 'Maybe, maybe not'

LONDON, England - Ross Brawn on Thursday played down reports connecting him with a return to Formula 1.

With his old boss Luca di Montezemolo stepping down at Ferrari, rumours have resurfaced that the next management shuffle at Maranello could feature an F1 comeback for Brawn.

Most recently, the 59-year-old was Mercedes' team boss but currently he is enjoying retirement, including travelling with friends and indulging his passion for fly fishing.

'NEVER SAY NEVER'

"I'm living a very different life this year," Brawn told Germany's Auto Motor and Sport, "and it feels good. I'm determined not to return to a full-time job."

That, however, doesn't mean Ferrari isn't trying to lure him back. Just days ago new Ferrari chief Marco Mattiacci said he enjoyed his brief meeting with Brawn during a private visit to Maranello, the F1 HQ, earlier in 2014 but Brawn insisted:

"I think at the moment I don't have a role at Ferrari or anywhere else. My visit to Maranello in May (2014) was purely private. We talked a little about 'what if' but nothing serious.

"Since there are no discussions, I have no thoughts in this direction."

He also said the shake-up at his formerly ultra-successful team, Ferrari, including the inexperienced Mattiacci's elevation to the top job, changed nothing. "You have to give Marco Mattiacci the time to prove what he can do. I am not in contact with Ferrari and I am not actively looking for a new role in F1.

"Never say never, because you never know what options are going to arise, but at the moment I am pursuing some interests outside the sport that I never had the time to do before."