Penske to buy Mercedes F1

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So the rumour goes anyway according to German Auto Bild, could well be true, I also think there's more to it that Toto hasn't come to Brazil when he's never missed a race weekend since becoming a principle, personally I think he's back at Stuttgart being told we aren't offering Lewis a contract and you need to start looking for another job

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If they do sell it'll be after they next season when hopefully they'll seal the 7th WC, after that yes I can see them walking away but not before the job is done, Toto says they have nothing left to prove I get that but they have one last big thing to achieve which is the 7th WC, you can't walk away from all the hard work and money you've spent getting to 6 time champions, one last push and I think the Daimler board will afford them that, after 2020 yes I can see them leaving which brings you onto what happens to the workforce at Brixworth when they pull out, it would take a big set up to want to take all that on, won't be a Manor or HRT outfit, with the money Penske have I think its totally plausible that they will buy Mercedes F1

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StevieBee said:

We're at least 10 years from EV becoming 'mainstream' - probably longer than that. Between now and then, cars still need to be sold be they petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric - market share still needs to be maintained. If you get it right, F1 remains an efficient means to contribute to these aims.

Formula E is improving but is nowhere near to being an equal to F1. The point at which it does, we will see the amalgamation of the two - F1e. This too is at least 10 years away and again, most probably longer than that.

So for Mercedes, who are now active in both F1 and FE, it would make sense to maintain a presence in the sport. Quite how that presence is maintained is another matter and it may well be via 'privatisation' but I really can't see them upping sticks anytime soon as they'd loose too much commercial capital. The caveat to this is that they re able to maintain their level of dominance at the top, or close to it.

I get all of that but Mercedes don't need to build chassis to maintain any of that, they have already stated they would be prepared just to supply powertrains and remain in F1

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FourWheelDrift said:

Penske just bought the Indycar series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I don't think they would buy into F1 at the same time.

I can't see that that makes one bit of difference

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Derek Smith said:

There's an interview with Hamilton in The Times where he talks of his contract negotiations.

It also mentioned, almost in passing, that Wolff would not be at the Brazil race.

Made me think that there was some connection. It came as little surprise. If they win the WCC next year they'll make the longest run in F1, beating Ferrari's 6. I don't know if such records are important to them, but it might give Merc an opportunity to leave the sport with a reason.

I agree, thats when they'll walk away, they've broken so many records and won the lot but theres just one more record to get, after that yes I could see them walking away happy in the knowledge that all records will stand for many many years, the Penske link just seems to fit hand in glove to me, they have the name, the backing, they'll inherit a world class team, staff and facilities, they'll get Merc engines

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williamp said:

Doink said:

So the rumour goes anyway according to German Auto Bild, could well be true, I also think there's more to it that Toto hasn't come to Brazil when he's never missed a race weekend since becoming a principle, personally I think he's back at Stuttgart being told we aren't offering Lewis a contract and you need to start looking for another job

Yes because Roger Penske literally cannot was until Monday and MUST see Toto this weekend, all weekend. RP is a pure racer, why would he demand a meeting on the weekend of a race?? Its nonsense. Im sure Toto has his reasons. Selling his share to Rp this weekend isnt one of them

Eh, who said Toto was meeting RP?

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Although I can't find an auto bild translation I don't think they mention anything about Toto meeting RP never mind meeting in Stuttgart, I only mentioned Stuttgart because personally thats where I think Toto is meeting the Daimler board instead of being in Brazil