Ross Brawn has insisted that Mercedes GP did not usher Jenson Button out the door to pave the way for the return of Michael Schumacher.
Mercedes team boss says Schumacher deal came about after he tried to keep World Champion
Ross Brawn has insisted that Mercedes GP did not usher Jenson Button out the door to pave the way for the return of Michael Schumacher.
The new World Champion left the team formerly known as Brawn GP for McLaren just 48 hours after Mercedes-Benz had completed its takeover of the outfit.
According to Mercedes team principal Brawn, he opened talks with Schumacher about the possibility of him coming out of retirement when negotiations with Button started to collapse.
The seven-time World Champion confirmed on Wednesday that he was joining Mercedes GP on a three-year contract.
"It overlapped," insisted Brawn regarding Button's exit and talks starting with Schumacher.
"Out of loyalty to Jenson we made a good effort to try and find a solution. They were tough discussions, but it didn't work out.
"When that started to look difficult, I started talking to Michael, and things developed from there.
"When we were in a position to talk to Michael seriously, it wasn't a difficult discussion.
"Michael and I have stayed very close over the years, and I saw from his disappointment last summer when he couldn't drive for Ferrari, how much passion he still had for the sport."
Right combination
Schumacher admitted the prospect of once again working with Brawn, the man behind his seven world titles - two with Benetton and five at Ferrari - helped clinch the deal.
"It was the only combination able to trigger this. There was no other combination I felt I wanted to work for and work with," he said.
"Ross is a long-term friend. He knows me in detail, as I know him.
"We've won races we shouldn't have, had tough times, good times, but in the end we have managed to finish with a positive attitude."
For his part, Brawn is convinced that Schumacher, who turns 41 on January 3rd, can once again compete at the highest level.
"I asked Michael that question, and he is the best judge of what he can do, and I trust him implicitly," added Brawn.
"He's told me he can do it, so I'm very confident. He's always been his own best critic, he knows what he's capable of.
"I'm very comfortable, very confident. I put my trust in Michael, and it won't be misplaced, that he will do a job."
