Comments on: F1 links: Mercedes buy into Brawn

By: Wesley

Wesley — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:04:10 +0000

Well,I will say it…congrats to Bourdais!

Bourdais is a racer through and through and I wish him the best.I suppose F1 just wasn’t his bag.

By: Steph90

Steph90 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:30:18 +0000

Swiss report for Rosberg to Brawn, well mercedes did want a German.
Williams and FI rejoin Fota.

Furthermore, FOTA will now arrange a seminar, open to representatives of the major stakeholders (including Media, Sponsors and Promoters), to discuss how working together we can develop the show creating a more attractive spectacle for the fans.”

By: DGR-F1

DGR-F1 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:30:25 +0000

It has also occured to me that maybe Mercedes are going to reduce their interest in McLaren slightly, though still be in partnership.
We have been wondering about three car teams and the possibility of 1-2-3 finishes by the same team, but now aren’t we liable to keep seeing a Mercedes powered 1-2-3 at every race?

By: Bartholomew

Bartholomew — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:36:31 +0000

Not only is Ross a great engineer, but also a great businessman. He will make money AND remain the boss at the outfit.
Good for him – a fellow with talent

By: Chaz

Chaz — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:03:15 +0000

Mercedes have always wanted more control over/at McLaren, (much like BMW wanted with Williams and didn’t get), so I see this as Mercedes positioning themselves to take over and run the Brawn team at some point in the future. Ross will pocket himself a nice little earner for sure…

By: UnicornF1

UnicornF1 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:01:52 +0000

Keith it is “Mercedes” not “Merecedes” in the title :p

I hope next year to see “the Mercedes” team…
…until then I support whoever run on its engines!

By: DC

DC — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:08:52 +0000

I assume a bit of negotiating goes on in regards to paying for the engines. A prominent display of the Mercedes logo on a car might result in a discount for the engines. It is all part of the process of providing a service and how it is paid for. (Think IndyCar, where the Honda name and logo is in standard locations on each driver’s fire suit and each car.)

I can see this happening in a normal supplier – customer relationship, but if Mercedes is buying an equity position in Brawn then these lines are blurred.

I still don’t get why Mercedes would want an ownership position in multiple teams but not even own one outright. Mercedes isn’t like Red Bull, which is mainly controlled by one person who can spend how he likes and not justify it to powerful shareholders.

By: PJA

PJA — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:05:01 +0000

I read that all the manufacturers were courting USF1 about supplying engines because of the marketing potential in the US of a link up with the team. This was before they had signed with Cosworth so I don’t know if it was all just rumour or as USF1 needed an engine deal before being granted a place by the FIA if they could only manage to sign one with Cosworth.

By: ajokay

ajokay — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:44 +0000

I don’ understand why the customer teams don’t display the engine manufacturer’s name bigger on the car, like in the 80′s and 90′s. If I was Mercedes, I would request as part of the engine deal with Brawn that the Three-Pointed Star was displayed on the nosecone and engine cover.

Williams and Red Bull have ‘Powered by Toyota/Renault’ respectively somewhere on the engine covers, but they’re so small, and nothing on the nosecone. It all used to be so standard.

By: Bigbadderboom

Bigbadderboom — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:21:45 +0000

It widens their appeal and helps the teams, it’s fundamentally win win, unless their get embroiled in controversy. It’s the sam with Red Bull who may potentially carry the Merc badge in at least part payment for the engines, it helps control costs on both sides, and has mutual benefit.