FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[LewEngBridewell]

Merc commit to F1 until 2020?

That'll be the day. It's clear why they've released that statement. Who's betting that "commitment" will not be fulfilled? Next stop, VW. Enjoy your brief and disappointing stay.

[What's Burning?]

Next stop, VW.

I'd be a fan!

[scotty]

If Mercedes actually lasted until 2020 i think that would make it the longest single term a manufacturer ever stayed for in F1 in the modern era, as a full constructor... The longest so far being Renault 2002-10 (it's not the same for Ferrari before anyone points that out ).

[darwin dali]

If Mercedes actually lasted until 2020 i think that would make it the longest single term a manufacturer ever stayed for in F1 in the modern era, as a full constructor... The longest so far being Renault 2002-10 (it's not the same for Ferrari before anyone points that out ).

Uh, why not?

And if not, there's always mamma FIAT that would count as well...

[scotty]

Cause Ferrari, love em or hate em, exist to go racing.

[darwin dali]

Cause Ferrari, love em or hate em, exist to go racing.

As I said, FIAT (the owner of Ferrari since 1969 ) is a car manufacturer through and through.

[vaptin]

Cause Ferrari, love em or hate em, exist to go racing.

As I said, FIAT (the owner of Ferrari since 1969 ) is a car manufacturer through and through.

I think Ferrari F1, is though, formally allowed autonomy, FIAT can't interfere with the running.

[darwin dali]

Cause Ferrari, love em or hate em, exist to go racing.

As I said, FIAT (the owner of Ferrari since 1969 ) is a car manufacturer through and through.

I think Ferrari F1, is though, formally allowed autonomy, FIAT can't interfere with the running.

I don't think Mercedes/Stuttgart can interfere with the running of the F1 team either other than simply stopping the cash flow and closing shop (which FIAT probably could as well).

[scotty]

Difference is that FIAT would probably never even entertain such a thought while Ferrari are running, as the dynamic there is totally, completely different. You cannot seriously class Ferrari as a manufacturer in the same way as Honda, BMW and the like were, because the motives and mentality are so different. Same for McLaren - the road cars are a byproduct of racing, not the other way round, and that is the difference. Anyway, this isn't the point i was making (i mean who is by far and away most likely to still be in F1 as a full car constructor in 9 years? exactly, no explicit answer required cause it's that obvious, i would hope), i was just agreeing with Lew's post, albeit in a roundabout way.

[What's Burning?]

I don't blame the manufacturers... the ROI dollar for dollar in F1 is crazy poor compared with the ROI in sports cars. That being said though, Mercedes does fall into that middle ground. They do produce the engines and that's not likely to stop, at this point what's manifested over the last fear years is Mercedes effectively swapped places with Renault.

Oh yea, has anyone heard anything about Lewis' contract negotiations today?

[racechick]

Funny you should mention that........

[scotty]

This?

McLaren is ready to match Mercedes' wage offer to Lewis Hamilton in a bid to further tempt the former world champion to remain at his current team.

On the back of frenzied speculation about Hamilton's future caused by Eddie Jordan's claim that he would move to Mercedes in 2013, negotiations have been ongoing between the Briton's management team, XIX Entertainment, and McLaren.

Although no deal has yet been agreed, high-level sources suggest that the wage deal on offer is no longer an issue.

McLaren is believed to be offering at least, if not more, than the approximate £11.5 million per season deal that it is understood Mercedes has put on the table.

The main issue to be debated now is whether or not the greater commercial freedom that Hamilton could have at Mercedes - because personal sponsorship deals are not as tightly controlled as they are at McLaren - is worth enough for Hamilton and XIX to consider it a better option.

McLaren has a number of extensive commercial tie-ups with companies like Hugo Boss that limit the personal sponsorship possibilities that are open to its drivers.

However, as Hamilton's current deal with Reebok shows, there is scope for personal deals to be part of a McLaren package. And sources suggest the outfit may be willing to be more flexible in what it allows Hamilton to do if it guarantees securing his future.

The financial situation is also further complicated by the fact that any deals Hamilton could get at Mercedes may not be as much as win bonus possibilities he could have at McLaren.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend that he felt Hamilton appeared more focused.

When asked by AUTOSPORT whether there were any worries that the disappointment of retiring from the race would impact on Hamilton's decision about his future, Whitmarsh said: "I have to say that Lewis has been incredibly strong.

"I've spoken to Lewis first hand and he is in a very focused frame of mind. He came around, thanked everyone in the team for their efforts this weekend and it was a much stronger-minded Lewis that we have seen before.

"He is very focused, he knows there are 150 points that are available and he knows we are going to work hard to collect all of them, or as many as we can."

Other team members were equally keen to praise Hamilton's attitude over the Singapore weekend.

Mercedes reshuffle rumours

The situation for Hamilton is also further complicated by suggestions that Mercedes may be poised for a management shake-up.

Speculation in the Singapore paddock pointed to the Mercedes board pondering a reorganisation of how the outfit is run, having finally given agreement to a deal that will commit it to Formula 1 until 2020. A decision could come at a board meeting that is scheduled for this week.

Sources have suggested that former world champion Niki Lauda could even be drafted in to take a role with the team, following his successful involvement in negotiations between Mercedes and Bernie Ecclestone to frame a new Concorde Agreement deal.

Lauda himself denied that he had a firm offer in place from Mercedes, but did not dismiss the possibility completely.

"I've not been asked," he told AUTOSPORT about speculation of a role at Mercedes. "It would be wrong of me to say anything because I haven't been talked to about it.

"The only thing I did was help Mercedes with the Concorde Agreement discussions, and that was just to get the ball rolling between the two parties."

[racechick]

Is that the autosport one Scotty? I posted the link a couple of pages back. There's a Benson one as well

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson ... dgame.html

And this one...

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8108076/

All saying pretty much the same thing.

[LewEngBridewell]

Didn't Eddie Jordan mention something about "all will be revealed on Wednesday"?? During the Singapore GP coverage? Well, THIS Wednesday is here, I wonder if it has something to do with this long-running saga?

[racechick]

I imagine it will be revealed when the two parties are good and ready to reveal it. Not when Eddie thinks it might be.