F1 News: Ex-Mercedes CEO Recounts Hilarious Monaco GP Moment - "Don't Remember Much"
Nick Fry, the former CEO of Mercedes, fondly reminisced about the Brawn GP period as the highlight of his career, underlining the immense challenges and the subsequent triumph that made this era particularly memorable.
Key Takeaways:
- The Brawn GP Saga: Fry marks the Brawn GP journey as the most formidable and gratifying chapter of his career, showcasing the evolution from an underdog status to World Champions. This phase wasn't just a personal milestone but a reflection of the team's resilience and strategic ingenuity.
- The Realities of F1 Competition: He illuminates the competitive essence of Formula One, noting that teams at the grid's rear also exhibit commendable performance under constraints. His insights reveal the sport's rigorous nature, where success is a rare commodity, and every team's endeavour is noteworthy.
- Monaco Grand Prix - A Cherished Victory: The dual victory at the Monaco Grand Prix remains a highlight for Fry. The race, known for its glamour and the unique challenges it poses, represented a significant achievement for Fry and the Brawn GP team, underlining their collective effort and strategic prowess.
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Starting his F1 journey in 2002, Fry was instrumental in navigating the sport's dynamic challenges, contributing significantly to the teams he was part of, including the memorable stint at Brawn GP, which culminated in a World Championship win in 2009.
Fry's entry into the F1 arena commenced in 2002, when he joined BAR Honda as managing director. This period was crucial, setting the stage for Fry's later achievements. The defining moment, however, came in 2009, when against all odds, Brawn GP, born from the remnants of Honda's F1 project and under Fry's stewardship as CEO, clinched the World Constructors' Championship. This fairy-tale victory underscored Fry's ability to lead a team through turbulent times to glory.
Subsequently, as the team transitioned into Mercedes, Fry continued to play a pivotal role, contributing to the foundations that would see the team dominate the sport in the turbo-hybrid era.
Reflecting on his career during an interview with OLBG, Fry stated:
"Brawn GP itself was the highlight of my career as it was so damn difficult!
"Formula One is very tough. It's easy to disparage those at the back of the grid, but the reality is that they're doing very well. They just happen to have less money and fewer resources.
"Look at Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn, it took them five years to sort out Ferrari. It took us a long time, too. I started with the team in 2002 whilst it was under a different name and we didn't win our first race until 2006. Three years later, we won the World Championship, and the team has gone on to achieve even greater things."
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Fry continued:
"Formula One is a very tough gig, and I think that would be my career highlight. There were numerous elements to it, as the [Brawn GP] documentary shows. It was an incredible achievement to get to Melbourne and survive! It was a great team effort.
"Ultimately, the first and second-place finish at Monaco is super special to me. Everybody wants to win Monaco as it's the only Grand Prix that gives more to F1 than the sport does to the location. It was incredible to finish first and second there.
"I was so tired from work before the race that I slept through it. I was slumped over my computer and I was woken up by the Head of PR – actually our only media person - to go and get the trophy! I don't remember much of the race, but it was a great achievement and I’m sure Rubens and Jenson drove brilliantly!"