Ferrari 'calmness' can deliver title, says Brawn

Ross Brawn says a "calmness" that has descended over Ferrari could deliver the world title in 2019. Sebastian Vettel made mistakes last year, but Liberty Media's Formula 1 sporting director, and former Scuderia technical chief, insists that the German is "more than capable" of winning again.

Ferrari were seemingly quicker than Mercedes through long stretches of 2018, but fell short.

Vettel's mistakes in Germany, Italy and Japan came to characterise his and Ferrari's season, although the team were also at fault with a string of strategy blunders.

However, having delivered impressive performance in pre-season testing, the Scuderia have been pegged as favourites heading into 2019, something Brawn believes they can make good on.

"With the calmness the team now have, they have every chance this year," he said.

Brawn, once an ultra-successful Ferrari technical director, says the death of president Sergio Marchionne badly affected the Italian team last year.

"The team was in a little bit of disarray last year," he said.

"It was not an easy environment. If you are going to beat Hamilton and Mercedes, you need to be on top of everything. I feel that this year will be stronger for them."

Brawn said Ferrari looked "very strong" in the winter, but noted the reliability problems.

"Mercedes seemed a little out of sorts," he added. "But they will find their way."

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