Mercedes-Benz has bought a 75 per cent of the Brawn GP team and will rebrand it as Mercedes GP.
The German firm is bucking the trend of manufacturers pulling out of the sport by increasing its interests and financial commitments. It currently owns a 40 per cent stake in the McLaren team, but it will sell this back to the McLaren Group over the next two years.
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Button poised for McLaren switch
Mercedes chief Dieter Zetsche said in a press conference in Germany that the firm was now ready to have its own factory team and Ross Brawn would remain in charge of the new outfit.
“Mercedes will compete in the F1 world championship next year starting with its own factory team,” he said. “The interests of Daimler are aligned therefore it will be a true Mercedes-Benz team. Ross Brawn will continue as team principal.”
The firm has taken a 75.1 per cent stake in the Brackley team, 45.1 per cent of which comes from Daimler. The rest of its stake is believed to be funded by an Abu Dhabi-based investment group. The remaining 24.9 per cent will be split between Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and other board members.
Despite taking over at Brawn, Mercedes has renewed its engine supply to McLaren until 2015. The current deal was scheduled to end in 2011, but the new deal will see Mercedes continue to supply engines and be a key strategic partner for the Woking-based outfit.
German Nico Rosberg is set to be the lead driver of Mercedes GP, with Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug keen on signing Nick Heidfeld as his team mate. Haug will also be tasked with co-ordinating the new Mercedes GP team.
World champion Jenson Button is now set to partner Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. The team has confirmed that the silver/red livery of its cars will remain unchanged.
Ron Dennis, chairman of McLaren Group, said: “This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler.
“We’re delighted that Mercedes-Benz has committed to continue not only as an engine supplier but also as a partner of ours until 2015 – and perhaps thereafter.”
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Re: Mercedes takes over Brawn
With the refueling banned for 2010, and the tracks mostly impossible to overtake, we are back to boring F1. When will those in charge ever learn?
As far as iam aware, Mercedes always had their engines designed and produced here for the past few years. Ilmor were one company doing this for Mercedes.
Any of the top ten drivers can win the championship. Brawn got the areodynamics right from the start, so Button got a handsome lead. Thats how he basically won the title.
I just wish, winners from a previous race, would start at the back, to make the race more interesting!
Re: Mercedes takes over Brawn
Small is beautiful and has been shown to work very well indeed. Brawn 2009. Will 'Corporate' work quite as well? Toyota, Honda, Ford.....?
Re: Mercedes takes over Brawn
-sennadiditfirst; it does not make a difference that one took the other out, it was not a disaster because it is the result that counts where the team are concerned.
-yes it would have been better in some respects if they had not taken each other out, but they did; BUT the result for the TEAM was good and therefore as it is the TEAM that is the order of the day then it does not matter what the drivers did unless the TEAM was damaged i.e. if they had taken each other out and someone from another team had won - now that would be a disaster.
-but senna and prost were way to professional to let a disaster liek that happen
-i also would like to see massa do really well, he should have won the title last season i.e. hamilton should not have won it, but that is motorsport and that is life and hamilton did win
-i cannot wait for next season and yes please do come back and mock me if jenson has signed for Mclaren and duly gets beaten by hamilton; but jenson is the better driver and hamilton will be beaten by jenson (nothing surer)
- i hope Massa does really well also and Alonso will be fired up for this season as will the Red Bulls and of course Nico Roseberg
-it should be one of the best and most open season for years and years; i cannot wait!