Brawn escapes speeding ban

Ross Brawn has escaped a ban from driving despite admitting that he had been doing more than 100mph on a Devon dual carriageway earlier this year.

Brawn, whose team continues to lead both F1 world championships despite Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello finding the middle of the 2009 season tougher going than the start, was recorded well over the 70mph limit in his Mercedes E320 on 30 May, but avoided having his licence suspended despite receiving further points to add to those accrued from a similar offence in February.

Although Brawn was not present at the court in Plymouth, magistrates heard that he had been running hours late for an appointment in Cornwall at the time of the second incident after being held up by heavy traffic on the M4 and M5 motorways.

"He does accept that, on the issue of culpability, he drove intentionally at speed," Brawn's lawyer Denis Brennan told the hearing, "He is aware that he can expect to be disqualified. The traffic was light. He fully co-operated with the police. He apologises."

As well as receiving six points on his licence, Brawn will have to pay a fine of £700 and an additional £75 in costs.