UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Mercedes' Brawn takeover

Deal confirmed

As expected, Mercedes Benz this morning announced that it will be increasing its involvement with the championship winning Brawn GP team and, as a result, reducing its investment in McLaren. The deal sees McLaren receiving Mercedes engines until at least 2015, and the gradual takeover of Daimlers (Mercedes Benz parent company) 40% stake in the McLaren outfit.

As from now the Brawn GP team, in which Mercedes has bought a 75.1 percent share, is to be known as Mercedes Grand Prix, a move that many people believe will lead to traditional silver livery for the two cars next season. Mercedes increased involvement is in direct contrast to the recent withdrawal of Toyota, Honda and BMW.

In a statement on the McLaren website Ron Dennis, believed by many to be returning to the F1 fold after resigning his position earlier this season, said:

“This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler.

“I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than merely a team. That being the case, in order to develop and sustain the revenue streams required to compete and win Grands Prix and World Championships, companies that run Formula 1 teams must broaden the scope of their commercial activities.”

Dennis went on to praise Mercedes for the strength of their engines and partnership, and added:

“The next few years will be a very exciting time for McLaren, during which period we intend to become an ever-stronger technological and economic force. Formula 1 will always be a core activity, for sound business reasons as well as for historical sporting reasons: to be clear, our Formula 1 business has traditionally enjoyed great financial security, largely as a consequence of the longevity of our contracts with our partners, many of which have exceeded 15 years of continuous involvement with McLaren. Indeed, two of our partners have been with us for more than 25 years.”

It is no secret that Brawn has recruited Nico Rosberg to drive next season, with much influence from Mercedes who wanted a German in the car, but the confusion over where Jenson Button, the new World Champion, will be next season continues.

Button is known to have visited the McLaren factory, and there is speculation that he may join Lewis Hamilton in that team, with further rumours claiming Nick Heidfeld could be drafted in at Brawn for an all German line up.

Written: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:28:17