Mercedes Linked To Brawn GP Stake

Media reports have suggested that Mercedes-Benz is set to increase its ties with the Brawn GP by becoming a major shareholder in the F1 team.

The German manufacturer, which already owns a 40 per cent stake in McLaren, is believed to be looking to bolster its stake in the sport through an investment in Brawn GP – a team for which it already supplies engines for.

Although it was suggested at the start of the season that Mercedes would swap its investment in McLaren for a full buy-out of Brawn GP, a recent revival in the on-track fortunes of McLaren has meant that the relationship will be maintained.

A Mercedes-Benz Motorsport spokesperson denied speculation of a full-blown Brawn buy-out, though he did not deny that Mercedes could increase its involvement in a team it already supplies with engines.

‘It’s our policy not to comment on rumours and we want to point out that we have longstanding contracts with McLaren,’ he said.

Like most car manufacturers, Mercedes has been hit hard by the global recession. Mercedes’ parent company, Daimler, posted net losses of $1.51bn during the second quarter of the year and board member Helmut Lense said earlier this year that Mercedes should end its expensive F1 engagement. 

However, despite the fiscal situation, it is looking increasingly likely that Mercedes will bolster its investemnt in F1 as opposed to pulling out.

While Honda has quit the sport, and BMW has announced it will do likewise at the end of the current campaign, Mercedes could find itself involved in four teams in 2010.

As well as McLaren and Brawn, Mercedes is expected to continue supplying Force India’s engines and is believed to be in negotiations with Red Bull over a fourth customer engine deal.

FIA law forbids manufacturers from supplying more than two teams, but it is possible to supply more with permission from F1’s governing body and the other teams.