Articles Tagged ‘Mercedes Benz’

Mercedes own Brawn, Button to McLaren, Kimi gone?

Monday, November 16th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger

Jenson Button Sao Paulo

As we reported earlier today, Mercedes have confirmed that they will take ownership of Brawn GP from 2010 onwards, leaving Jenson Button – the 2009 World Champion likely leaving the team.

It is pretty much confirmed that Nico Rosberg has signed with the team, however no statement has been released to that effect – in addition to this Mercedes are apparently only keen to have Nick Heidfeld in the 2nd drivers seat for 2010, with Mercedes boss Norbert Haug confirming that they are pursuing the German driver.

This leaves Jenson Button without a seat in 2010, with his move to McLaren even more likely.

The knock on effect of all of this is ultimately Kimi Raikkonen will not be driving in Formula 1 in 2010. Raikkonen had previously stated that he would only drive for McLaren in 2010, but at a high price. Button in recent weeks has looked the more likely candidate to take the seat for the Woking based team. Raikkonen could look to a Rally drive in 2010, or simply just sit 2010 out.

Mercedes will continue to supply engines to McLaren, despite this buy out of Brawn GP. Ross Brawn will remain as Team Principal of the team, owning 25% of the team with Nick Fry.

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Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News | No Comments »

Brawn to Announce Mercedes, Heidfeld & Rosberg?

Monday, November 16th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger

Richard Branson, Ross Brawn

In very interesting news this morning it is being strongly rumoured in the British press that Mercedes Benz will buy a 75% stake in Brawn GP, and with that deal launch an all German driver lineup, leaving Jenson Button without a team.

Mercedes have long been a bit upset with their current number 1 team McLaren after they decided to use their own engines in their new road car. Mercedes powered Brawn to their championship wins in 2009 and have been closely linked to a bigger deal with the Brackley outfit for some time.

According to reports, Mercedes also want an all German lineup for their new number 1 team, with Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld taking the seats, leaving the negotiating Jenson Button out in the cold.

As reported earlier in the week, Button and his management had been spotted at McLaren HQ in Woking earlier in the week, with rumours of a possible move alongside Lewis Hamilton getting stronger by the day. Brawn are also reported to not be willing to pay the wage that the new world champion is asking for, wheras a team like McLaren with big pockets should be able to pick up.

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Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News | 1 Comment »

Red Bull Set to Decide on Engine Supplier

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 - Posted by Cindy Zhang

Red Bull Racing

With Red Bull Racing’s current contract with Renault expiring at the end of the year, the Milton Keynes based team has to decide on its choice of engine supplier for 2010 before the race in Abu Dhabi next weekend, reports Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

The highly speculated switch to Mercedes engines has been ruled out due to the limit imposed by FIA on the number of customer power plants allowed in the field. It is believed that Red Bull is considering either remaining with Renault or switching to Cosworth engines as the team’s motor racing advisor Helmut Marko revealed in Suzuka,

“Cosworth is an alternative option we are looking at.”

The decision has also been described as a choice between the Renault engine’s better fuel consumption and Cosworth’s greater horsepower.

Having won the FIA tender to supply standard engines in 2010, Cosworth is an attractive option for teams as FIA has allowed only Cosworth to continue developing their engines throughout the 2010 season. Cosworth has agreed to supply engines for Manor, Campos GP, US Grand Prix Engineering, Lotus F1 Team, and most likely the Williams F1 team for 2010.

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Posted in News, Red Bull | No Comments »