Mercedes to buy into Brawn GP
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78399
Brawn GP's Formula 1 future is poised for a major boost, with Mercedes-Benz close to a deal to take equity in the team.
With the world championship leaders already having secured sponsorship funding for the next few years, as revealed by AUTOSPORT last month, the team's outlook now looks even better following discussions with the German car manufacturer.
Reports first emerged about the plans this morning in The Daily Telegraph, and sources have confirmed to AUTOSPORT that talks are at an advanced stage for the car company to take a shareholding in the team.
It comes on the back of Mercedes-Benz's increased profile as a customer engine supplier over the past season - with the team set to provide power-units to McLaren, Force India, Brawn and, perhaps, Red Bull Racing in 2010.
The move is not, however, an attempt by Mercedes-Benz to move away from its long-standing commitment to partner McLaren - and it is instead believed to be part of the car manufacturer's attempt to increase its presence in F1.
A McLaren spokesman told AUTOSPORT that the team had no qualms about Mercedes-Benz's plans for expanding its involvement with its rivals in the sport.
"Mercedes-Benz's engine supply contract with McLaren is a very long-standing one - it's in its 15th consecutive year, in fact - and it will continue to run for many years to come," said the spokesman.
"However, we're supportive of our partner's plans regarding engine supply of other teams in Formula 1, and we were delighted earlier this year that a Mercedes-Benz engine supply deal was able to be done with Brawn, thereby saving that team from likely extinction.
"Force India, too, has blossomed as a result of its engine supply/engineering consultancy collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and McLaren - as Giancarlo Fisichella's impressive second place in the recent Belgian Grand Prix showed all too clearly.
"Both McLaren and Mercedes-Benz remain extremely satisfied with our Formula 1 collaboration, which has netted two drivers' world championships and one constructors' world championship as well as dozens of grand prix victories.
"As ever, we'll be aiming to add to that win tally together at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix - although we never under-estimate our opposition and the competition will undoubtedly be tough."
Mercedes-Benz itself denied that the plan was for a full-blown buyout of Brawn, but did not rule out an equity-type deal.
"It's our policy not to comment on rumours and we want to point out that we have longstanding contracts with McLaren," a spokesperson for the company told The Daily Telegraph.
Mercedes-Benz is poised to confirm its engine plans for 2010 at the Italian Grand Prix, although there is fresh uncertainty now surrounding whether or not Red Bull Racing will make the switch from Renault to Mercedes-Benz.
Although the deal had appeared to be all but done in recent weeks, sources suggest that the contract has not yet been signed - and it is not impossible that the team could actually stick with its current partner for another year.
Williams is looking at changing its engine supply deal for next year, having asked Toyota to be released from its contract, and had been expected to switch to Renault. However, there remains a chance the Grove-based outfit could be in the running for a Mercedes-Benz deal if Red Bull Racing opts not to take it.
Brawn GP's Formula 1 future is poised for a major boost, with Mercedes-Benz close to a deal to take equity in the team.
With the world championship leaders already having secured sponsorship funding for the next few years, as revealed by AUTOSPORT last month, the team's outlook now looks even better following discussions with the German car manufacturer.
Reports first emerged about the plans this morning in The Daily Telegraph, and sources have confirmed to AUTOSPORT that talks are at an advanced stage for the car company to take a shareholding in the team.
It comes on the back of Mercedes-Benz's increased profile as a customer engine supplier over the past season - with the team set to provide power-units to McLaren, Force India, Brawn and, perhaps, Red Bull Racing in 2010.
The move is not, however, an attempt by Mercedes-Benz to move away from its long-standing commitment to partner McLaren - and it is instead believed to be part of the car manufacturer's attempt to increase its presence in F1.
A McLaren spokesman told AUTOSPORT that the team had no qualms about Mercedes-Benz's plans for expanding its involvement with its rivals in the sport.
"Mercedes-Benz's engine supply contract with McLaren is a very long-standing one - it's in its 15th consecutive year, in fact - and it will continue to run for many years to come," said the spokesman.
"However, we're supportive of our partner's plans regarding engine supply of other teams in Formula 1, and we were delighted earlier this year that a Mercedes-Benz engine supply deal was able to be done with Brawn, thereby saving that team from likely extinction.
"Force India, too, has blossomed as a result of its engine supply/engineering consultancy collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and McLaren - as Giancarlo Fisichella's impressive second place in the recent Belgian Grand Prix showed all too clearly.
"Both McLaren and Mercedes-Benz remain extremely satisfied with our Formula 1 collaboration, which has netted two drivers' world championships and one constructors' world championship as well as dozens of grand prix victories.
"As ever, we'll be aiming to add to that win tally together at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix - although we never under-estimate our opposition and the competition will undoubtedly be tough."
Mercedes-Benz itself denied that the plan was for a full-blown buyout of Brawn, but did not rule out an equity-type deal.
"It's our policy not to comment on rumours and we want to point out that we have longstanding contracts with McLaren," a spokesperson for the company told The Daily Telegraph.
Mercedes-Benz is poised to confirm its engine plans for 2010 at the Italian Grand Prix, although there is fresh uncertainty now surrounding whether or not Red Bull Racing will make the switch from Renault to Mercedes-Benz.
Although the deal had appeared to be all but done in recent weeks, sources suggest that the contract has not yet been signed - and it is not impossible that the team could actually stick with its current partner for another year.
Williams is looking at changing its engine supply deal for next year, having asked Toyota to be released from its contract, and had been expected to switch to Renault. However, there remains a chance the Grove-based outfit could be in the running for a Mercedes-Benz deal if Red Bull Racing opts not to take it.
Edited by stifler on Monday 7th September 09:54
DSM2 said:
Interesting article.
I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
I would love it if Williams got the Merc engines over Red Bull. I'm not sure where that would leave Red Bull though? Stick with Renault? Ferrari?I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
Actually Ferrari would make perfect sense. A and B team running the same motor. It would save alot of small part design work that probably takes alot of time.
stifler said:
DSM2 said:
Interesting article.
I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
I would love it if Williams got the Merc engines over Red Bull. I'm not sure where that would leave Red Bull though? Stick with Renault? Ferrari?I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
Actually Ferrari would make perfect sense. A and B team running the same motor. It would save alot of small part design work that probably takes alot of time.
skwdenyer said:
stifler said:
DSM2 said:
Interesting article.
I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
I would love it if Williams got the Merc engines over Red Bull. I'm not sure where that would leave Red Bull though? Stick with Renault? Ferrari?I was at the DTM over the weekend as a guest of MB. Both Frank williams and Patrick Head were also guests and FW spent some time in the garages where Haug was based on Saturday afternoon too.
Actually Ferrari would make perfect sense. A and B team running the same motor. It would save alot of small part design work that probably takes alot of time.
stifler said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
There is a little more to this than meets the eye.
Why have they done this? Because Mercedes will leave Mclaren at the end of 2010.
They say not, but it could be a cheaper option than funding Ron's toy factory.Why have they done this? Because Mercedes will leave Mclaren at the end of 2010.
Has the ball started to roll...?
Mat Hammond said:
stifler said:
The Hypno-Toad said:
There is a little more to this than meets the eye.
Why have they done this? Because Mercedes will leave Mclaren at the end of 2010.
They say not, but it could be a cheaper option than funding Ron's toy factory.Why have they done this? Because Mercedes will leave Mclaren at the end of 2010.
Has the ball started to roll...?
Seems to me like Rosbergs position (in a FWMerc or AnyMerc) will give some clues?
I still wouldn't discount LH's value to Merc, he is as yet the only WDC they can wheel out on show. Even if JB does clinch a title this year, will he be as valuable a PR tool as the boy wonder? NH must be working very hard to justify continued investment :thumbsup: but maybe the withdrawal of BMW has given them just the PR 'spin' they can use. It must still be tough to decide whether it is better to invest in German Pilots or winners or even Austrian/Swiss/German teams.
From the 'form' perspective, there has been 'previous' when Williams and Mclaren have had the same engine supplier (generally only for a very short time
)?
[footnote]excuse the ramble - it's a Monday thing.. (I think?)[footnote]
I still wouldn't discount LH's value to Merc, he is as yet the only WDC they can wheel out on show. Even if JB does clinch a title this year, will he be as valuable a PR tool as the boy wonder? NH must be working very hard to justify continued investment :thumbsup: but maybe the withdrawal of BMW has given them just the PR 'spin' they can use. It must still be tough to decide whether it is better to invest in German Pilots or winners or even Austrian/Swiss/German teams.
From the 'form' perspective, there has been 'previous' when Williams and Mclaren have had the same engine supplier (generally only for a very short time
)?[footnote]excuse the ramble - it's a Monday thing.. (I think?)[footnote]
How about this for a conspiracy theory 
McLaren and Mercedes have different viewpoints on the type of engines to use in their road cars. Mercedes haven't been happy with McLaren after the 2007 debacle.
BMW found running a whole team was not quite their thing and they wish to go back to engine supply for F1 and possibly running Sports cars from the F1 factory later on. McLaren and BMW had a good relationship when they made the F1 road car in the '90s. BMW are willing to put in the same money that Mercedes will require to be bought out of their share of the team.
Merc get bought out.
McLaren get F1 engines.
BMW go back to engine supply.
BMW do sportscars too.
McLaren get BMW engines for their road-car project, giving it some heritage!
A shot in the dark too far?
McLaren and Mercedes have different viewpoints on the type of engines to use in their road cars. Mercedes haven't been happy with McLaren after the 2007 debacle.
BMW found running a whole team was not quite their thing and they wish to go back to engine supply for F1 and possibly running Sports cars from the F1 factory later on. McLaren and BMW had a good relationship when they made the F1 road car in the '90s. BMW are willing to put in the same money that Mercedes will require to be bought out of their share of the team.
Merc get bought out.
McLaren get F1 engines.
BMW go back to engine supply.
BMW do sportscars too.
McLaren get BMW engines for their road-car project, giving it some heritage!
A shot in the dark too far?
stifler said:
How about this for a conspiracy theory
McLaren and Mercedes have different viewpoints on the type of engines to use in their road cars. Mercedes haven't been happy with McLaren after the 2007 debacle.
BMW found running a whole team was not quite their thing and they wish to go back to engine supply for F1 and possibly running Sports cars from the F1 factory later on. McLaren and BMW had a good relationship when they made the F1 road car in the '90s. BMW are willing to put in the same money that Mercedes will require to be bought out of their share of the team.
Merc get bought out.
McLaren get F1 engines.
BMW go back to engine supply.
BMW do sportscars too.
McLaren get BMW engines for their road-car project, giving it some heritage!
A shot in the dark too far?
BMW stated they would not be an engine supplier after they pull out.McLaren and Mercedes have different viewpoints on the type of engines to use in their road cars. Mercedes haven't been happy with McLaren after the 2007 debacle.
BMW found running a whole team was not quite their thing and they wish to go back to engine supply for F1 and possibly running Sports cars from the F1 factory later on. McLaren and BMW had a good relationship when they made the F1 road car in the '90s. BMW are willing to put in the same money that Mercedes will require to be bought out of their share of the team.
Merc get bought out.
McLaren get F1 engines.
BMW go back to engine supply.
BMW do sportscars too.
McLaren get BMW engines for their road-car project, giving it some heritage!
A shot in the dark too far?
However, in the world of F1, a categoric denial of something usually means the opposite
I don't think there would be an issue to MB supplying engines to the McLaren road car projects even if they stop supplying the F1 team, unless that was McLaren's choice.
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