Mercedes set for crucial meeting over F1 future

Mercedes are due to hold a meeting to discuss their future in Formula 1 beyond the end of the 2020 campaign.

In a joint investigation conducted by RaceFans and Autocar, Mercedes’ parent company Daimler will chair a meeting on February 12 to decide on whether to continue funding its Formula 1 operation.

Although Mercedes has engine deals in place with McLaren from 2021 and Williams until 2025, there are still doubts over whether the Silver Arrows will continue as a works team predominantly because of pressure on Daimler to cut costs.

As a result of the uncertainty, rumours of potential joint partnership between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll have gathered pace with the team rebranding as Aston Martin.

Given Mercedes’ dominant reign during the turbo hybrid era, their exit would have huge ramifications on the sport and also the future of six-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

He is out of contract at the end of the season and will no doubt want reassurances on the future of both his boss and the team that he has enjoyed so much success with over the course of his career.

Speaking earlier in the year, Wolff did say that he felt the timing was not right for Mercedes to be leaving the sport.

“Leaving the sport now would certainly not be the right thing from a commercial point of view if it now becomes a new opportunity,” he told Motorsport-Total.com.

“All numbers are growing – from television viewers to the digital world to sponsorship.

“We all ten [teams] should be proud that we are part of such a limited field of starters.

“We should be aware of the opportunities and opportunities ahead of us and focus on making it a good deal to make for everyone.”

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