Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, has announced the appointments in newly created roles of Ross Brawn as managing director, Motor Sports, and Sean Bratches as managing director, Commercial Operations. These appointments are effective immediately in conjunction with the completion of Liberty Media’s acquisition of Formula 1 announced earlier this week.
Ross Brawn is one of the most successful and innovative technical directors in Formula 1 history having won 22 World FIA Championships and the Le Mans 24 Hours in his 40 year career.
Sean Bratches is credited as one of ESPN’s most influential leaders, with over 27 years of experience, most recently as executive vice president of sales and marketing. He oversaw ESPN’s two primary revenue streams, advertising and sponsor sales and content licensing, as well as the research and analytics, marketing, consumer products and events marketing divisions.
“I am delighted to welcome Ross back to Formula 1. In his 40 years in the sport, he’s brought his magic touch to every team with which he has worked, has almost unparalleled technical knowledge, experience and relationships, and I have already benefitted greatly from his advice and expertise,” explained Chase Carey, chairman and CEO. “I am thrilled Sean is joining Formula 1. Sean was a driving force in building ESPN into one of the world’s leading sports franchises. His expertise and experience in sales, marketing, digital media, and distribution will be invaluable as we grow Formula 1. I look forward to working with Ross and Sean, as well as key current executives including Duncan Llowarch, our CFO, and Sacha Woodward Hill, our General Counsel, the FIA, Bernie and Liberty as we work together to make Formula 1 the best it can be for the teams, promoters and fans for years to come.”
“It’s fantastic to be returning to the world of Formula 1,” added Ross Brawn. “I’ve enjoyed consulting with Liberty Media these last few months and I’m looking forward to working with Chase, Sean and the rest of the Formula 1 Team to help the evolution of the sport. We have an almost unprecedented opportunity to work together with the teams and promoters for a better F1 for them and, most importantly, for the fans.”
“I’m very excited to be joining Formula 1 and contribute to the continued growth of this extraordinary global brand and sport,” concluded Bratches. “Formula 1 is one of few truly global tier one sports, and I am encouraged by the manifold opportunities to materially grow the business, work closely with current and future sponsors, race circuits, television rights holders as well as create next generation digital and on-site race experiences to best serve the Formula 1 fans.”
