Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Driver Lewis Hamilton in the MP4-23
Mercedes Set to Take Over McLaren F1 Team?
The end of Ron Dennis
2007 was arguably one of the most controversial seasons in McLaren F1 history capped with no drivers championship, being thrown out of the constructors championship and a $100 million fine. Far from acceptable for engine partner Mercedes-Benz who are reported to be negotiating to take a majority stake in the British team, a deal that would likely signal the end of Ron Dennis as team boss.
According the German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Mercedes want to have more control over the British team to eradicate errors made during the drivers title run in and are not happy with the crisis management at the height of the spying scandal. Negotiations are reported to have been ongoing since October last year.
Does this mean we will hear the German national anthem when/if we see Lewis Hamilton or Heikki Kovalainen takes the chequered flag this year?
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
_M7_
January 16, 2008 5:25:48 PM
if that its true F1 car will be as bad as the street cars jaja electrical problems always
tdroesch
January 16, 2008 5:56:57 PM
not sure if this is good or bad. the damage has already been done and ron is now under pressure to redeem himself. i would give him this season for sure and let him know that it is make-or-break to extract the most of his talents. plus, who would relace him? haug? ron is still the man for mercedes.
melton83
January 16, 2008 6:27:05 PM
I agree with tdroesch. They should give him one more season. Last year brought along loads of miserable luck for McLaren-Mercedes. Hopefully this year will be more about what it's really all about, the racing.
eas722
January 16, 2008 6:27:26 PM
that would be perfect but it wont happen this year i think. maybe 2009, most likely 2010 i say.
eas722
January 16, 2008 11:43:20 PM
you should be removed from wcf membership you can't blame a team because a ****head took details from another ****head from ferrari. besides, mclaren mercedes has always been the coolest team on the grid. f1 wont be f1 without the silver arrows.
carolinaluvr101
January 16, 2008 11:49:28 PM
Why should McLaren be removed from F1? It's Mercedes-Benz that should be! If they take over completely, they will probably start putting sat-nav, leather chairs, and a 6 disc cd changer in all of their cars. Mercedes doesn't know how to build F1 cars (or racing cars period, for that matter) without McLaren. The only hope they might have is if they let AMG take over, but I doubt they would think of doing that.
Joe_Limon
January 17, 2008 12:36:16 AM
haha oh man that cracked me up... like the actual cars a company produces has any effect on its formula one cars. By that logic bmw formula one cars should look like boxes, Renault should have a hatchback looking formula one car, and Redbull would have an automated drink dispencer to keep its driver wired the whole race.
bassam
January 17, 2008 1:29:04 AM
carolinaluvr101......the best replay ever..that word is just what i want to say....nothig more any way..mercedes can't take over at least this season cause traction controle is banned ,,and that what mercedes do in all its cars,,u know what i mean....?
bassam
January 17, 2008 1:31:51 AM
carolinaluvr101...the best comment i have ever heard... that words just what i was going to say...nothing more any way...mercedes can't take over at least this season,cause TRACTON CONTROL is banned..and that what mercedes do in all its cars..U KNOW WHAT I MEAN????? SORRY MERCEDES......
AL
January 17, 2008 3:55:55 AM
Car company's taking over a racing team is such a shame. Guys Like Ron Dennis, Patrick Head, Frank Williams, Ross Brawn, Adrian Newwy, Jean Todt also (from WRC) and Briavatore have made F1 over the past 30 years. You only have to look at BMW, Toyota and Honda to see that they cannot win without the real racers whom possess the real know how. Mercedes would be back of the pack if they formed their own team without buying Mclaren expertise. These corporate guys have no character. Its about time they hired guys like Eddie Jordan, Jackie Stewart to add some wit and humor to race paddock interviews.
AL
January 17, 2008 4:07:09 AM
come to think of it, the nerve of mercedes to play the perfect boss, Mclaren should of sacked these guye when their engine blew up on Kimi all those years which cost him at least 2 championships. Mclaren would do better with Honda or Renault, even BMW.
Straiyan
January 17, 2008 10:21:46 AM
Oh who cares, they're new engine is the best on the entire track, hence why it's exactly the same for the 2008 season.
Straiyan
January 17, 2008 10:18:59 AM
So what, Daimler AG owns 40% of the McLaren group anyway. They're the largest shareholder and i wouldn't be surprised if McLaren became a subsidiary of Daimler AG in the near future.
radmeister
January 18, 2008 7:43:32 AM
Lets face it McLaren works for Mercedes. This would happen in any organization. You lose 100 million $ and make a bad reputation for the company what do you expect? It's not Ron Dennis is the ONLY person that can lead an F1 team, there are other people out there that are better, and Mercedes has the wallet to hire them. McLaren has no say in the issue, it's time for a re-organization of the team because the last season was a disgrace when the car is amazing.
phobos
January 18, 2008 9:58:48 AM
if mercedes take over the mclaren f1 team, nothing much will be different, mclaren and mercedes already has a more than 10 years working experience in f1, do you think mercedes is going to be dull in developing f1 car by themself?
That's good! I hope Mercedes take over the team! it will be great!