Respected outlet RaceFans is reporting Mercedes bosses could decide the company’s Formula 1 future next month.
In recent months, there have been mixed signals on the fate of the Brackley-based team with team boss Toto Wolff suggesting there was “nothing more to prove” after six straight double championships but that it also made sense to stay while F1 was commercially strong.
There has also been speculation over a potential takeover of the current works team, initially, it was claimed American motorsport mogul Roger Penske was in talks with Mercedes but later denied.
Now a collaboration between Wolff and Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll to rebrand the team as Aston Martin has also been touted, with the Canadian expected to secure a near-20 per cent stake in the British carmaker.
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All of the uncertainty could be ended as soon as February 12, RaceFans claims, after revealing the results of an investigation with Autocar that says bosses of parent company Daimler will meet on that date to discuss their future in F1.
A need to cut costs is thought to be the main motivator for pulling the works team off the grid, this after profits fell short of expectation last year and already the jobs of 10,000 employees are expected to be cut.
A shift in focus to electric vehicles will likely play a role, particularly as Mercedes embark on a full Formula E program.
In contrast, F1 is set for a very expensive year as teams develop not only their 2020 cars but an all-new car for 2021 when a big change in regulations is introduced.
This could be offset in the medium-term by the pending $175m budget cap that will come into effect next year and the revenue from prize money and sponsorship Mercedes receive, but the reception to the new regulations has been lukewarm at best.
Then there is also the question of future drivers after Max Verstappen signed a quick three-year renewal at Red Bull despite being linked to Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton is also considering his options after being linked to Ferrari while, allegedly, also making big demands in talks for a new contract.
One element of this which is seemingly not in play is the German manufacturer’s future as an engine supplier after a return to powering McLaren from 2021 was announced last year and also a partnership extension with Williams until 2025.
