Brawn certain big three will "lock" podium in 2018

Ross Brawn believes the podium places will be owned by the exclusive ‘top three’ teams for the duration of the 2018 season.

The exclusive club coming in the form of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will tie up the podium according to Brawn.

Last season saw just Lance Stroll make a top 3 finish outside of the ‘big three’ manufacturers. The Williams driver pulled this stunt in last seasons Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This years event in Baku is just one and a half weeks away.

“In less than two weeks, we’ll be racing in Baku,” said F1’s director of motorsports Ross Brawn.

“Which last year saw the only podium appearance of a driver from outside the top three teams.

“Could the return to this very different street circuit throw up a result outside of the top three teams?

“On current form, it looks highly unlikely.”

It will please fans that a person in Brawn’s position can identify issues with the sport in the hope of F1 becoming more exciting.

Brawn went on to comment: “As was the case in Bahrain, and again in China, the gap between the first three and the rest of the pack was far too big.

“On lap 16 - the gap from leader Vettel to 7th placed Magnussen was over 35 seconds.”

Brawn has an opportunity to fix this issue in the next 3 years ahead of the new engine regulations coming in 2021.