Mercedes' Ross Brawn may retire from F1 by season end

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn may reportedly pull the curtains on his successful career by the end of this season

Brawn is one of the most prolific F1 designers of the current era and his cars have reportedly won more than 100 Grands Prix and 16 constructors and drivers world championships.

According to the Mirror, Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda said that Brawn's future at the team is in the balance and it is '50-50' whether he would stay after this season, although he added that Brawn has agreed to discuss terms with them at the end of the season.

The report mentioned that Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton had pleaded with Brawn to stay and Mercedes had agreed to Brawn's demand to remain as the technical No.1, after he threatened to quit following fellow Englishman Paddy Lowe's arrival from McLaren.

However, Lauda said that the problems with Brawn have been sorted out, adding that his position has been agreed on with Lowe and everyone else in the team.

Brawn had a health scare last year caused by an irregular heartbeat but returned to F1 shortly afterwards, declaring there were 'no long lasting worries', the report added.