Formula 1 Update – Mercedes-Benz Buying Brawn GP Shares, Change its name to Mercedes GP

McLaren will be Gradually Independent

Formula 1 world champion team in 2009, Brawn GP, will have a new identity for the Formula 1 2010 season. Mercedes-Benz, the German automotive giant, has bought a majority share of the teams (75.1 percent), and changed its name to Mercedes GP.

“Mercedes will fight in the F1 world championship next year with their own factory team,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Mercedes.

Means, Mercedes had acted “against the flow.” If other manufacturers busy to leaving F1, they decided to plunge more deeply instead. No longer as a machine supplier or the stock owner of the team. So far, the company already has 40 percent of the McLaren shares.

From the 75.1 percent of that shares, 45.1 percent of Daimler, Mercedes parent. Then, 30 percent of Aabar Investments, a Mercedes’ partner. The remaining shares are owned by the individual involved in the team. That is Ross Brawn, Nick Fry, and several others.

“Ross Brawn will remain as the team principal, so we continue to maintain the existing strength. Just as our engine division at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines, the new Mercedes GP team will be under the coordination of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, under Norbert Haug, “Zetsche explained by the official release.

Now, Mercedes GP only have to announce their drivers line up for Formula 1 2010 season. Almost certainly, Nico Rosberg became one mainstay. Just waiting, whether the world champion Jenson Button will stay on the team, or off to McLaren.

For McLaren, this decision is not necessarily bad. Mercedes agreed to sell back 40 percent of their shares into the team gradually, until 2011. Then, Mercedes also continued to become the machine supplier until at least 2015 (six years). And there is an option, the contract machine was extended after 2015.

According to Ron Dennis, McLaren Group boss who is no longer leading the team daily, this decision actually better for the long-term interests of McLaren. Because, they are now returning more independent, more free to shape the future.

“It’s a win-win decision. Good for McLaren and Daimler,” he said.

Dennis did not worry about the financial condition of the team, although they will no longer receive endorsement money from Mercedes. Dennis admitted his team had a solid foundation, for many years and have a successful long-term relationships with a number of sponsors.

Precisely with the new freedom, McLaren could be commercially developed. For example to expand its wings into the high performance car industry.

It’s no secret, McLaren is developing a super car for the street, called MP4-12C. The plan, the car began to be marketed in the upcoming 2011. There was gossip, plan making this a car that has made Mercedes offense, so find a way to divorce with McLaren. But so far there is no confirmation, so the status is still gossip.

The last time McLaren have a super car is the McLaren F1, which was released in 1994. “The plan, our new car will be built in a super advanced factory adjacent to (F1 team headquarters) McLaren Technology Center in Woking (UK),” added Dennis.

McLaren will keep the silver and red color on their F1 car for 2010. While Mercedes GP expected using full silver car, along with the traditional color of these manufacturers.

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