Mercedes could have quit over engines BBC Sport - Formula 1: Mercedes could have quit over engines Now Mercedes has revealed it would also probably have stopped if F1 had not in 2009 decided to commit to the efficiency formula, around the time BMW and Toyota left the sport.
Sounds fishy. What if it was still V8s or V10s, and Mercedes took all 3 commanding wins this season. Would they still quit? They're just trying to butter up the situation, IMHO.
Like in many large companies, the management at Mercedes has to justify to the board and shareholders why they spend so much money in F1. The technical challenge of the new regulations and the fact that it is relevant to today's concerns is an added incentive to stay in F1.
The usual stuff. They threatened to leave last year and then they had that "extra" test session. These days it´s difficult to fill the grids so FIA has to keep everybody happy.
What new teams? That crazy Serbian guy and another attempt of American team? Those can´t compare to Mercedes; many teams are using their engines, F1 couldn´t live without them. Thank God that Honda is returning, that will alleviate the situation at least respect engines.
I don't know if you've ever been to Germany, but the "green" culture there is madness. Germany is not an ideal location for solar, yet they have it all over. Its good press for their PR environment for Merc to be seen as "saving fuel in racing". I think its nuts given the supporting fuel sees little change, but whatever. Merc does need to keep their folks happy.
Mercedes manufacturing mostly big cars has to redesign its range to produce mostly hybrids in a few years to satisfy the future environment restrictions. What better advertisement for the marque than to win on the track with that technology? In a few years time, zero emission will be compulsory in many towns in Europe, and cars will have to run solely on electric power. Those constructors who didn't invest in hybrid technology will be in trouble.
I don't think the FIA matters much in the decision of big companies. Car companies are run for profit,, not for the pleasure of racing enthusiasts. Just a vote against during a board meeting and they leave F1 at the stoke of a pen; that's how Peugeot, Toyota, Honda (already 3 times!), BMW (twice), Ford and others left with very little warning.
That´s exactly what I meant: big manufacturers don´t care about racing, they only are interested in winning to sell their stuff; so FIA sometimes has to "level the field" (or even worse) so everybody can get their 15 minutes of glory.
With due respect, i know what is needed and what big companies do. I'm not sure if your getting the point here. Assuming if it was still the V8s or V10s, and Mercedes won the first 3 races just like how they won this current season. Of course there's no reason to quit. Which is why i said it's just politics and PR. F1 at the moment is in a bit of a disaster to many many fans. Merc just doing goodwill and buttering up the situation.
The point is that the Mercedes board could have killed its F1 budget anytime regardless of success or not.
This is old news. I heard MB threatened to quit if they couldn't show off their green tech... it must have been over a year ago. Cheers, George
I doubt it. It's also a message to the FIA in response of Ferrari's trying to change the current rules.
F1 rules should be stricter - Lowe | Planet F1 | Formula One News funny article.. what about teams that do in season testing when its banned?
"F1 is about delivering technology, and setting stretched targets," Lowe told Autosport." Yeah, that's what F1 is all about. Tragic thing is, I think he believes that. F1 is about racing - or rather, it was - not fuel saving. F1 races arranged around fuel saving are as exciting as watching water on your stove until it boils. If the cars can't run full power from beginning to end, it's a joke, not racing.
