Mercedes-Benz set to become a shareholder in Brawn GP F1 team

Quote:

Originally Posted by DexDexter

Is Mercedes funding Mclaren?

At least 40% of it is theirs so 40% of the funds of the teams is theirs too(no matter where it comes from), so yeah they are funding the team, not to mention they supply the engine, transmission and KERS!

Quote:

Originally Posted by henners88

I'm pretty sure the KERS system Mclaren use was developed in Woking, obviously with the research coming from the Mercedes side of the company.
I could be wrong however, but sure I read that... :)

Even if it was that way the research certainly did cost a fortune to Mercedes.

If possible, from these pictures it is uglier than the current "Lotus".

Yech!

"If it aint a Ferrari, I'm not drivin' it!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by henners88

Its certainly a kick in the teeth for their main rivals BMW who never really got to grips with continuing the development of a car let alone supply another team. It also gives an insight into how their road car programe is fairing as they dropped out a season after their first GP victory.

There again if they will manufacture over priced Volkswagens, what do they expect.. :p

I agree, BMW's roadcar division is doing a lot better than expected at the start of the credit crunch, and as with Honda BMW's decision to ditch F1 was seen very positively by the markets. Given the constant budgetary instability in F1 (Build a V10, nope, make it a V8, invest $100 million this year for KERS, build another $100 million dollar windtunnel, sack 80% of your staff to ensure budgets drop below $100 million, sorry scrap that and spend whatever you like again, no I meant at 1990s levels) it makes sense to divest ownership in any teams and if continued participation in F1 is a requirement then merely supplying engines is probably the best and cheapest/lowest risk option.

Mercedes buying into another team does not make sense, where does the money come from? What is the sense in investing money into a sport where Mercedes already has a high profile and market recognition? Why be twice as exposed to the foibles of F1 and the FIA, after all Brawn/Honda/BAR is/was one of the few teams to be banned from races for technical irregularities on one of Mosley's little power trips.

Then again, this is a company that cocked up spectacularly by buying Chrysler and failing to address its problems, making a colossal loss in the process. Maybe there is some truth behind the rumours after all.