Speed maniac caught in February and again in May free to continue driving

The head of a Formula One racing team, Ross Brawn, has escaped a driving ban after he admitted speeding at more than 100mph on a dual carriageway.

Brawn, the head of Brawn GP whose team includes British driver Jenson Button, was speeding in his Mercedes E320 on the 70mph limit A30 at Sourton near Okehampton, Devon on May 30.

Plymouth Magistrates' Court heard that the 54-year-old, from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, was two hours late for an appointment in Cornwall after being held up by heavy traffic on the M4 and M5 motorways.

Brawn was not in court for the hearing and was represented by his lawyer Denis Brennan. Magistrates ruled that Brawn should pay a fine of £700, costs of £75 and have his licence endorsed with six points.

The court heard that he already has three points following an offence in February and a further speeding offence could result in a six month ban.