F1 announces exit of commercial boss Bratches
Formula 1 has confirmed that commercial boss Sean Bratches is to leave his full-time role at the organisation in order to spend more time with his family.
Bratches' exit, which was reported by Motorsport.com last week, will officially take place at the end of the current month, although he will remain affiliated with F1 in an advisory capacity.
Rumours of the 59-year-old’s departure first surfaced late last year, and at the Abu Dhabi GP F1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey confirmed that his future would be discussed in the weeks after the final race of 2019.
Having made his name with ESPN, Bratches was appointed managing director of commercial operations when Liberty took over F1 three years ago in January 2017, and was part of a three-man management team alongside Carey and Ross Brawn. His main focus has been growing income from race hosting fees, sponsorship and broadcasting deals.
He worked from a base on London and he was finding it increasingly hard to justify time away from his wife and family in Connecticut, with travel to races adding to his busy schedule. Bratches has four sons, aged 29, 28, 26 and 25. The youngest, Clay, has special needs.
“The past three years at Formula 1 have been an incredible journey, one which I have enjoyed thoroughly,” said Bratches. “I want to personally thank the team at F1 for their extraordinary efforts and dedication, they are the best of the best and I am confident they will continue to serve fans and deliver on the strategy we have set in the years ahead.
“I am proud that I leave F1 in a better position than when I joined in 2017 and I know that the foundation we have put in place as a team will continue to serve our fans around the world and reach new audiences.”
“Sean has transformed the commercial side of F1 and a testament to his work is shown in our momentum and growth as a business,” said Carey. “I am pleased Sean will continue to be an advisor for us from his home in the US, he will always be part of the F1 family and I look forward to his ongoing advice and counsel.”
Previous article
Latifi to race with Rosberg's number in 2020
Next article
Alonso no longer a McLaren ambassador
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Author | Adam Cooper |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Verstappen's Bahrain mistake can only make him stronger
Max Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix by a tiny margin, slipping off the track just as victory was within his grasp. But the painful lesson from defeat can only help Verstappen come back even stronger
