Mercedes AMG looking to withdraw from the sport – Formula 1 news
Mercedes may be considering a partial withdrawal from Formula 1 for the 2014 season.
Formula 1 will go over a major change as it changes its engine specifications for all the cars from V8 engines to V6 turbo. It is a major change targeted to cut the high cost of running the sport. There is a lot of confusion over the change as there is a
panic over how the engine suppliers will be able to provide engines for the whole field come 2014.
The reason of panic is because engine manufacturers are not confirming their commitment to the change. Cosworth the provider of Marussia and HRT team’s has decided to opt out. PURE engine supplier has stopped its operations because of financial issues.
Mercedes is not rumoured to be considering opting out as well, the team has not yet agreed to the Concorde Agreement deal with Bernie Ecclestone and the speculation is that the team might be looking to field a semi-official team from 2014.
According to Auto Hebdo magazine, Mercedes AMG is dissatisfied with a few developments brewing at the highest level. The only engine suppliers confirmed for 2014 are Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari and if they decide to leave out it will be a big blow to the
sport.
Some reasons cited for Mercedes rumoured change of direction are mainly the Gerhard Gribkowsky corruption scandal involving F1 Boss Ecclestone and the FIA and the F1’s Supremo pushing Mercedes to make a long-term commitment to the sport according to the
magazine.
Other reasons may include a lack of success since the team rejoined in 2010 taking over from Brawn GP. Even though Nico Rosberg has been able to secure his maiden GP victory in the current season the team have overall struggled to consistently perform to
its potential. Michael Schumacher has also been struggling and has not been able to shut out his critics by disappointing in the season so far.
It is a complex situations brewing at the highest levels of the sport and all of this will need to be sorted out soon in order to keep the sport intact.
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