Comments on: Mercedes to take 75% stake in Brawn – but what does that mean for McLaren?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:42:06 +0000

You mean Satanic Lair? Yep not in the best taste!

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:28:18 +0000

And of course, Mercedes don’t actually build their engines, it’s the Merc-funded Ilmor facility.

Though as they own Ilmor now Merc can do with it what they please.

By: Paige Michael-Shetley

Paige Michael-Shetley — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:51:54 +0000

I think all the signals, like Keith said, are pointing to McLaren becoming totally independent as a road car manufacturer, meaning they would be building their own F1 engines.

Remember that Ferrari began as a manufacturer of cars for auto racing. It was only after success in auto racing that they began producing the iconic road sports cars. Perhaps McLaren has the same agenda? It certainly would suit the ambitious personality of Ron Dennis, who now leads McLaren Automotive.

So, McLaren becomes the new Ferrari and builds their own F1 engines. It’s certainly plausible. They have the resources as is to build their own F1 engines, and they presumably should be pretty successful in their road car business with all the bright minds they have building them. They should get plenty of millionaires nipping at their heels to own one, especially the pretentious ones once they realize their green sports car.

By: Jeroen

Jeroen — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:42:19 +0000

U know, a long time ago there was something like Mclaren Honda.They were pretty succesfull.Too bad that doesnt happen anymore.

By: Chaz

Chaz — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:52:32 +0000

There’s a particular comment here that in my opinion has a distinct air of racism about it (no names mentioned of course), which if it is the case is disappointing an unnecessary. I hope I’m wrong and if so may I apologise in advance…

By: varun

varun — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:39:01 +0000

really stupid comments by you about merc as traitors etc.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:16:41 +0000

If this is true, it would seem that, Mclaren in bending over backwards to ensure Honda/BrawnGP survives, have also been rewarded with treachery. Life goes on regardless.
I am a bit surprised by individuals suggesting Mclaren go their own way in developing engines. As far as I know, building an engine is the almost easiest part of it, designing and developing it is where vast amounts of cash disappears into. A road going Supercar revving to only 9,000 or 10,000rpm is no mean feat, but try taking it to even 15,000rpm, and be amazed at friction losses and piston ring leaks.

They must have a very steady means of income from their road car division before they can contemplate such an adventure.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:25:34 +0000

But Ferrari were a race team first, who moved into producing road cars (A bit like McLaren now). Thats the difference

By: PJA

PJA — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:24:52 +0000

I have been quite surprised since I first heard about these rumours about Mercedes buying into Brawn. Brawn recently announced they had long term sponsorship deals signed to secure the teams future for the next few seasons at least and they seemed happy enough with just a works engine deal from Mercedes. It has often been said that Mercedes wanted to buy a greater share of McLaren and I suppose this could be the motivation behind buying into Brawn.

Unless something major has happened behind the scenes between McLaren and Mercedes I doubt much will change in their relationship for the next few years at least. The Mercedes engine is rated the best in F1 so I don’t see why McLaren would want to build their own anytime soon, also despite all the scandals McLaren are still the second biggest name in F1 with arguably the best resources so there is no reason for Mercedes to completely dump them either.

By: HG

HG — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:22:51 +0000

man, lighten up. THis is a good thing. It shows Mercedes are committed to F1, a good thing given the world economy of late. It has also been widely acknowledged that it is far easier for a manufacture to supply a good engine, than a whole package. So if Brawn and Mclaren have the same package, it is up to Mclaren to use their nouse, expertise resources and experience to beat Brawn. If they can’t… well good on brawn.

I really am hoping for brawn-Merc partnership to fail miserably. This is gross injustic!!

. Don’t wish failure on someone, it is not nice. Rather, maybe wish Mclaren greater success than Brawn whist using the same package?

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:07:34 +0000

Did they? I thought Prost won it that year…

By: tEQUILLA sLAMMER

tEQUILLA sLAMMER — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:05:31 +0000

This is payback for the disastrous mis-management of 2007 by Ron Dennis!!! Giving equal status to a double world champion and a rookie was not the only bone of contention between Mercedes and Dennis!! Mercedes were not happy losing Alonso at end of 07, but the Ferrari Intellectual Property was the nail in the coffin for McLaren! Mercedes will inherit all the facilities that was the Honda works team!!! Last year McLaren resisted attempts by Mercedes to increase their stake, and I saw that as conjfirmation Mercedes would either leave or re-invest elsewhere!…#:)

By: Maksutov

Maksutov — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:01:13 +0000

Perhaps this is not just a case of Mercedes seeking an alternative to McLaren, but also McLaren forging an independent path for the future?

I agree with that comment, Keith. In fact I believe this could be exactly what McLaren are aiming for, they certainly have the wealth and popularity to move in that direction.

Perhaps Merc will still remain part owner, but I suspect it could be less in by 2012.

By: ajokay

ajokay — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:52:43 +0000

As I said before, why on earth haven’t the other manufacturers been able to realise this?

I have no idea either. They seemed to manage it perfectly well in the 80’s and 90’s. They’ve all just become greedy recently, and look where that’s landed most of them.

Let the teams build the cars, let the engine suppliers… build engines!

By: Meander

Meander — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:35:05 +0000

It might put them back on the right side of the FIA

By: mani

mani — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:14:03 +0000

neither this makes it relevant…

By: satanic liar

satanic liar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:08:52 +0000

How can someone even consider Rosberg to be a German. He’s a half-breed for gods sake!! Mercedes must seriously be considering Sutil or Glock.

By: DGR-F1

DGR-F1 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:25:07 +0000

I think that McLaren, Brawn, Force India, and Red Bull (don’t forget about them), can all stay independent teams, but with engines and support from Mercedes. Maybe it will come at a price of having to use German drivers, but then Mercedes does support a lot of drivers too.
As F1 generally is trying to cut costs, the teams will want a decent supply of engines, from whatever source, and this looks like an easy solution at a time when finding sponsorship and partners is getting harder and harder.
Of course, it also allows Mercedes to continue with engine development, and it gets more advertising at ’showtime’. Especially if all the teams are carrying the star on their noses.
I don’t think Mercedes goal is to have a complete F1 team under their own name, especially after the mess that Honda, BMW, Renault and Toyota have made recently. Its much safer to let the teams keep independent, but have more input than just as an engine supplier. As I said before, why on earth haven’t the other manufacturers been able to realise this?
Also, this isn’t the only example of Mercedes spreading itself amongst the teams, as from what I can tell, its how they work in the DTM series, but I may be wrong since they also supply complete cars too.
As for McLaren making their own engines, I hope that one day they will appear in the F1 cars, and that a divergence from Mercedes, and even competing with them in the marketplace, is something that happens from time to time, after all AMG and Brabus both compete with Mercedes too.

By: DGR-F1

DGR-F1 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:05:43 +0000

Meander – McLaren Cosworth – been there, done that, got the Championship…..

By: Lustigson

Lustigson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:41:33 +0000

There’ll be a supply of Toyota engines available in 2010…