DaimlerChrysler to buy McLaren

The McLaren F1 team has really been struggling in the last couple of years; their last championship title was won by Mika Hakkinen in 1999. Norbert Haug, the Mercedes motorsport boss, wants to get the racing team back to the top, and the natural first step would be to replace Ron Dennis, who is the McLaren boss, according to a AutoMotorundSport report.

Read Article

chewy - 8/15/2006 5:51:53 PM

+1 Boost

One of the long running and succesful teams gone again. Williams is the only non manufacturer team left from the past.

torsten - 8/15/2006 6:26:51 PM

+1 Boost

what about Red Bull Racing and Toro Roso, their are not manufacturers teams, well maybe beverage manufactures. I am totally for this move, as long as the team is successful.

chewy - 8/15/2006 7:25:39 PM

+1 Boost

torsten

Both of those teams aren't very good and they have no history, you can't compare McLaren and Red Bull.

torsten - 8/15/2006 8:02:22 PM

+1 Boost

Sorry, I missunderstood you. You are right, but I am not sure if that is a bad idea, as long as it helps them.

ultramagnus - 8/15/2006 9:34:14 PM

+1 Boost

As a long standing F1 aficionado, this does not come as a surprise. I have been following F1 since I was 5 years of age I am now a 30 year old Mechanical Engineer. This is a logical step for Mercedes to increase their share in McLaren from 40% to 70% . McLaren have not posed a consistent challenge to the drivers or manufacturers championship since their manufacturers win in 1998k to back drivers championships in 98 and 99.Kimi Raikkonen came close to winning the drivers championship in 2003. McLaren have made quite a few missteps recently, none larger than the never raced MP4-19.The driver pairing of Kimi Raikonen and JPM failed to bring the desired results, hence JPM is off to the U.S.A to race in Nextel Cup. Mercedes increased share in McLaren should allow them to collaborate on a greater number of projects besides the SLR. There are actually three types of teams in F1, Manufacturers such as Ferrari, BMW and Honda, Engineering such as Williams and Advertisement teams such as Red Bull. The current economic state of Formula One has teams consolidating their operations to increase their efficiency.

Point of view from a Ferrari supporter.