With McLaren under continued pressure from the FIA over its allegedly dishonest response to a stewards' inquiry at the Australian GP last month, Mercedes and other McLaren partners are reportedly considering their positions with the team.
The FIA meets on Wednesday to consider charges that McLaren has brought the sport into disrepute. A range of draconian penalties could follow the proceedings, including possible exclusion from the 2009 championship or race bans.
Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche is quoted in the German media today, saying the firm could pull out of its engine supply deal with McLaren following the FIA’s decision.
‘If circumstances change, perhaps because of an unreasonable punishment by the FIA, it is possible that we could consider our engagement,’ he told Focus magazine.
Zetsche’s veiled threat could be politicking designed to help mitigate the perceived threat of FIA sanctions, but separate reports suggest McLaren’s other sponsors are viewing the possible outcome of Wednesday’s meeting with trepidation, too.
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