Merc to pull out of McLaren?

[WhiteBlue]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/15052009/ ... brawn.html

It could be a classic corporate manoever for Merc to pull out of McLaren and put their eggs into BrawnGP. They already own MBHPE Ltd which designs and manufactures the F1 engines and KERS. If they want to switch their works involvement from McL to BrawnGP it will probably cost them nothing and would perhaps even make a profit. Shares in Brawn would be comparably cheap and some money would come from selling McLaren shares. The biggest profit would come from not subsidising McLaren at a tune of hundred of millons €€/annum.

[Conceptual]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/15052009/ ... brawn.html

It could be a classic corporate manoever for Merc to pull out of McLaren and put their eggs into BrawnGP. They already own MBHPE Ltd which designs and manufactures the F1 engines and KERS. If they want to switch their works involvement from McL to BrawnGP it will probably cost them nothing and would perhaps even make a profit. Shares in Brawn would be comparably cheap and some money would come from selling McLaren shares. The biggest profit would come from not subsidising McLaren at a tune of hundred of millons €€/annum.

I think this was talked about after Australia, and I continue to see it as a good move for Mercedes.

Not only would they gain the early entry cost benefits, but they would get away from the seemingly endless controversy that surrounds the McLaren team.

Who knows? They could still sell engines + KERS to McLaren, but by moving their 40% shareholding from McLaren to BGP, they could seriously be inline for a dominant future in F1.

Especially with everyone else bailing out for next year!

[Giblet]

But Mercedes uses Mclaren to sell high end cars, and bait people in to their showrooms to look at lower end ones.

They can't do that with Brawn. It would be a purely racing arrangement, and as good as Brawn is right now, Mclaren is Mclaren, and have already proven themselves World Champion caliber.

[DaveKillens]

More than anything, Mercedes are sending McLaren a very harsh and specific message. Clean up your act and get back to the top of the grid or we will begin to explore alternate partners.

[ISLAMATRON]

But Mercedes uses Mclaren to sell high end cars, and bait people in to their showrooms to look at lower end ones.

They can't do that with Brawn. It would be a purely racing arrangement, and as good as Brawn is right now, Mclaren is Mclaren, and have already proven themselves World Champion caliber.

McLaren arent helping make any more Merc road cars after the SLR fiasco... AMG is the people in charge of the new SLS... McLAren have their own brand road cars coming out that will be a competitor to Merc, although not a direct competitor.

[gridwalker]

But Mercedes uses Mclaren to sell high end cars, and bait people in to their showrooms to look at lower end ones.

They can't do that with Brawn. It would be a purely racing arrangement, and as good as Brawn is right now, Mclaren is Mclaren, and have already proven themselves World Champion caliber.

McLaren arent helping make any more Merc road cars after the SLR fiasco... AMG is the people in charge of the new SLS... McLAren have their own brand road cars coming out that will be a competitor to Merc, although not a direct competitor.

SLR fiasco???

Please elaborate ...

[ISLAMATRON]

it was wack and didnt sell as well as expected.

"Total 2006 sales were 261 units and 2007 sales were 275 units. Well below Mercedes-McLaren goal of selling 500 units annually."

[ISLAMATRON]

it was wack and didnt sell as well as expected.

[Giblet]

It wasn't what it was supposed to be, but we know that (now I do anyways). Ignorant people with money don't always, and sometimes they get drawn into the dealership. That car got me in to look at it. A car can lose money on the individual sale and make the company money, like the NSX did for Honda. It sold VTEC to the masses.

I wasn't aware the SLR was such a flop. I thought it was a "supercar" GT like ride. But I also never really researched it. I just know it's physics in the sims make it a fast, 'floaty', and not very fun car to drive.

[Callum]

I think Brawn Gp would have to be painted silver for this to work..

[gridwalker]

I think Brawn Gp would have to be painted silver for this to work..

Not to mention agreeing a suitable buyer for Merc's stake : I do not believe that McLaren is a publicly listed company, so it's not as if Merc can just ask a broker to offload their shares.

[axle]

SLR was a flop cause Merc's mandate made it too heavy. They wouldn't compromise despite McLaren's dislike of the beast.

IMO SLR = Merc's c0ck up.

All future McLaren supercars are specced to use Mercedes engines so there is still a tie up.

[PNSD]

All Brawn are gonna have on their car is the silver arrows...

Merc and Mclaren extend alot further than F1... Merc will not simply just 'pull out' of Mclaren. As with any business joining they will go through the good and the bad together. The last thing they both want to do is split.

Just because Mclaren are not performing and have gone through lie-gate does not mean to say Merc are any closer to pulling out of Mclaren.

Just like marriages go through difficult points, so is this. This is a marriage which is gonna stay in F1 and the automotive industry for longer than people think.

That article is pure speculation. Unless I misread there is only one quote, "We have possibilities and options, and it has been offered to us."

And that is in reply to whether there is more involvment with Brawn or not. To me, all this implies is the option of KERS for Brawn, and an attempt to keep the partnership going for 2010.

Other than Dave hits the nail on the head with this one...

[jddh1]

I don't think Mercedes-Benz will jump to Brawn. As Dave says, it's just a way to pressure McLaren to roll up their sleeves and start working. What if McLaren is great next season and Brawn is at the back of the grid? Will M-B jump back to McLaren?

[modbaraban]

Merc and Mclaren extend alot further than F1... Merc will not simply just 'pull out' of Mclaren. As with any business joining they will go through the good and the bad together. The last thing they both want to do is split.

What gave you that idea?

On the other hand here's a few facts:

- Merc want more control over their F1 team, but McLaren aren't likely to become what Sauber is for BMW.
- McLaren and Merc will work on their new supercars separately... there's competition to follow.
- Merc are building new partnership with Aston Martin.

PS: But I'm not saying that Merc is likely to pull out of McL soon (if F1 survives in its current incarnation).