FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Mikep99]

ON the road that is
But I wonder if this is the first signs of Mercedes taking over McLaren in F1

Merc, McLaren part ways
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Content/News/General_News/5/cd3eb84624ac4692a71ceaee64161d40/Merc,%20McLaren%20part%20ways
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will end its partnership with McLaren when their current contract expires next year.
The two manufacturers cooperated on the development of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster and were reported to be working on a new flagship roadster called the SLC.
"The partnership ends in 2009 and it will not be renewed," a Mercedes spokesman told Automotive News.
Instead, the SLR replacement due in 2010 is likely to be built by Mercedes-Benz's in-house AMG performance unit.
It is not clear how the latest developments will impact the manufacturers' current Formula One agreement.

[Hanwombat]

[Kiwi_Chris]

That could be Mclaren wanting to focus of F1 a bit more, Merc have a stake in the team so they wont be pulling the engines outta the back of the race cars for a while

[bud]

this was on the cards for a while. Explains the F2 concept car aswell

[McLaren Fan]

That could be Mclaren wanting to focus of F1 a bit more, Merc have a stake in the team so they wont be pulling the engines outta the back of the race cars for a while

I agree. McLaren need to look after their Formula One interests a little more. Mercedes' interests in Formula One will also be looked after better by this, as the McLaren chassis etc. would in theory be a better platform for their engines, and more on-track success would mean they get more cash for their shares in McLaren.

[texasmr2]

Sorry but I had to move the thread as it is not F1 related.

[Mikep99]

Mercedes-McLaren developing new special edition SLR
Spy Video


With Mercedes’ next generation of super sports cars currently under development by the carmaker’s racing arm, HWA, as well as its in-house tuner, AMG, the current manufacturing partnership with McLaren is set to end once production of the SLR supercar concludes next year. To mark the occasion, Mercedes and McLaren will release a highly modified SLR that will be produced in a limited run of just 75 cars.

The latest version will differ significantly from the current model on which it’s based. The most striking feature will be its open-top design, which incorporates a roofless design with no windshield and vertical lifting doors. The design will be similar to the previous C16 Speedster based on the Corvette from Callaway, which was revealed last year.



The driver and passenger will only be protected by a small deflector, but the new design means the car will be able to accelerate from 0-300km/h in just 26 seconds and reach a top speed of 350km/h – 13km/h faster than the SLR 722 model.

Adding to the performance is a lighter kerb weight, which Auto Motor und Sport reports could be up to 200kg lighter than the standard model. The weight saving will come from increased use of carbon-fiber for the body, new carbon-ceramic brakes and a new exhaust system.

The special edition model will cost about €450,000 ($712,605) and is expected to be presented at the end of the month by Lewis Hamilton, who is also expected to be given one of the cars.

[Mikep99]

Mercedes wants to buy McLaren - Whitmarsh
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080718165307.shtml

Mercedes-Benz is interested in buying the remainder of McLaren, team Chief Executive Martin Whitmarsh has admitted at Hockenheim.

On the verge of the German manufacturer's home race, Whitmarsh confirmed the constant speculation about McLaren's long-time partner wanting to up its share from the current 40 percent.

McLaren teamed up with the Stuttgart manufacturer in 1995, and Mercedes-Benz is now the only carmaker on the grid that does not own its team outright.

"It's an interesting issue and a dilemma that faces the shareholders of this business - and to some extent the management," Whitmarsh told the International Herald Tribune newspaper.

"But I would be deeply disturbed if Mercedes had no real interest in acquiring us. I think it's a tangible demonstration of their commitment to this," he added.

Whitmarsh said: "They have a lot of investments already sunk in their Formula One endeavours, and the fact that they would like to acquire control is a healthy ambition.
"

Norbert Haug, however - in charge of Mercedes' motor racing activities - tempered the situation by pointing out that equity is not everything.

"The question is how successful you are," said the German, who was also on the pitwall when McLaren-Mercedes won its last titles in 1998 and 1999.

Haug added: "It's not a question of what percentage you own. It's a question of how many points you have on your account at the end of the year. And so far we have more points for less money - for a car manufacturer."

[Rivelution]

Does this mean it will be Mercedes-McLaren?

[8-ball]

not likely I think the way F1 is going Mercedes would do very well to keep their stake in the sport just as it is and maybe buy out Mclaren when the FIA and all the surrounding BS gets sorted

[McLaren Fan]

Mercedes have been interested in buying McLaren for a while now, so this news is nothing new. Haug is right about Mercedes getting good value for money. McLaren-Mercedes have done fairly well, even a transitional period for alliance. One of the reasons that big automotive companies get involved in Formula One is because of marketing. Therefore, if Mercedes did completely buy McLaren and kept the McLaren name, which I think must happen, their name will be spread about little more than it is now. So, again, they're getting a good return on their money. Basically, yes they want to buy out McLaren, but I don't think they're in too much of hurry to do it.