As Everyone Else Flees Formula 1, Mercedes-Benz Maintains Presence

Confirming rumours that had been in the air for several weeks, Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG announced on Monday that together with Aabar Investments, it will be taking over a 75.1% joint stake in this year's championship-winning team, Brawn GP. The transaction is pending the approval of the relevant European authorities.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Mercedes-Benz Motorsport boss Norbert Haug also confirmed that starting next season, the team will be renamed Mercedes Grand Prix.

The "new terms and conditions for Formula 1," motivated the German carmaker's decision to invest in and run its own team.

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Hantra - 11/16/2009 3:10:21 PM

+1 Boost

Does this mean McLaren gets BMW engines next year!?

ThierryHenry14 - 11/17/2009 12:24:50 AM

+1 Boost

no, MB still supplying free engines to Mclaren until 2015

Agent009 - 11/16/2009 3:51:30 PM

0 Boost

Contractually I would think so. But this sets up a presence in the series while still allowing Mercedes to cut ties if need be.

Yonder7 - 11/16/2009 3:59:11 PM

0 Boost

Also is OK for them as long as they have victories...

Yonder7 - 11/16/2009 4:26:36 PM

0 Boost

BMW, TOYOTA, and RENAULT (I guess), are out of F1 now....But is an smart desicion if you are not getting victories, or if you have no idea on how to apply the developments to your production cars as Renault.

maxpnts - 11/16/2009 4:27:48 PM

+1 Boost

this move by merc will not effect Mclaren, one bit. McLaren will still get same backing,and will be back on top next year with ferrari. The Brawns were better car due to the champ fight last year, they had a head start development wise. Thats why the other's got better as this year went on. Jensen's cool but he's no Kimi,Hamilton,or Masa,as one could see towards the end of season. Hamilton made an awsome come back with an less comp. car.He will be one of the front runners for 2010,along with kimi and massa, and poss. that's dirty bastard Alonso. With out gasing in the pit's next next, it will be more important to have a good qual session. Next year's going to be awsome.

Yonder7 - 11/16/2009 5:00:55 PM

+1 Boost

I belive the Mclaren will continue using the MB engines...

100tnega - 11/16/2009 10:05:47 PM

+1 Boost

Operation MB1 in full effect

agent507 - 11/17/2009 1:56:12 AM

0 Boost

Uhm, not everyone flees. Ferrari is still there, and I think it is good that another factory team (Mercedes) still participates. What fun would it be if all would have the same tire, gear box, and engine supplier?!?

LexSucks - 11/17/2009 3:54:16 PM

+1 Boost

It would be like the now defunct Champ-car series and the soon to be defunct IRL.

JUGNU - 11/17/2009 12:11:49 PM

+1 Boost

This will be the real Mercedes Benz favotory team. Mclaren and Mercedes will eventually separate and become totally different teams.

In today's latest news, chairman of Daimler, Zetsche admitted that the relationship between Mercedes and McLaren was affected by Mclaren's independent move into sports car manufacturing (MP4-12C and future cars, Mclaren also produced the engine in-house).

"That was not the interests of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz," he said.

So again Ron Dennis the head of Mclaren Automotive can be blamed or praised for initiating this split.

BTW sad to see Brawn GP name disappearing after just one season and what a season it was. Good luck Mercedes Benz but they will definitely have a start (very easy compare to 4 other new teams which will start from scratch) as the new car (Brawn started working on it long time ago) will most likely be among Top 3 pace wise next year.

JUGNU