65 replies to this topic

[noikeee]

I can't imagine them closing down the team, but selling, maybe...

[vlado]

I wouldn’t be as specific as “the next couple of seasons”, but yes. It’s what all manufacturers do, time and time again.

 

There is an exception 

Edited by vlado, 22 September 2022 - 17:08.

[MKSixer]

You’re right, there’s one big difference. As an independent team, Williams have never quit, even when the going got tough. When Mercedes stop winning regularly they’ll quit, like any manufacturer does.

I somehow doubt this.  If they quit, it will be an economic decision.  They weren't winning with McLaren for years and doubled down by taking over BrawnGP in order to control their own fate.  And Williams effectively and factually quit when they sold the team.  

[Mechanic44]

I wouldn’t be as specific as “the next couple of seasons”, but yes. It’s what all manufacturers do, time and time again.

Hasn’t Toto got a huge stake in the team? Wouldn’t the decision have to have his backing for them to pullout or would Mercedes just simply sell up and force the withdrawal through. Sorry I have no idea how this all works when it comes to a team pulling out when the TP has such a huge stake.

[Fastcake]

There's no reason for Mercedes to leave now, running an F1 team is a profitable business these days and they are still clearly in the top echelon even with this years mistakes, though in the end everyone will sell up. Toto, Mercedes-Benz and Ineos all own one third of the team. Without Mercedes, it'll like be rebranded as Team Ineos (maybe Ineos Grenadiers like the former Team Sky cycling team), with Toto Wolff remaining in charge and retaining his stake, and things continuing as before. Jim Ratcliffe certainly does not have a problem with investing into a sports team, and Toto himself is reasonably wealthy and well connected, so the team would keep going without issue if Mercedes left.

[Cornholio]

Wasn't this more to do with the tyre war? If Ferrari were on Michelins Schumacher may have still dominated that season. 

 

Yeah. Maybe one for the unpopular opinions thread but I'm firmly of the belief that under a modern-style spec tyre formula, Ferrari and Schumacher would have won more, not less. It threw in an extra variable that a dominant Merc never had to worry about. Maybe 2002/4 would have been slightly less dominant, but 2003 on balance would have been easier for them and I wouldn't bet against them winning one if not both of the 2005/6 titles.

Edited by Cornholio, 22 September 2022 - 20:22.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

IMO, right now Mercedes is the fittest team to challenge RedBull.

[JoeShmoe]

They have lost key staff on a regular basis for the last couple of years, if a company is suffering a brain drain they are either not paying enough or people are not happy working there. Maybe MB are addressing this and bedding new staff in and may reap the benefits in the next couple of seasons.

It’s well known I think that RBR have been recruiting the best of the paddock for a few years now and are paying them considerably more than Merc did or will. This includes engineers, engine guys, aero etc. they even spent as 7 figure sum in court to fight off Mercedes over several lead engineers. I don’t believe Mercedes Benz are willing to go to that salary level given the run of success they have had.

It makes you think that if they still had much of their previous talented guys like Phil prew or Ben hodgkinson would their car concept be as mediocre as it is now. I doubt it personally

[MrSarcastic]

Its already over, I'd say it was actually over last year.

I'm sure they will continue to be a front running team, but I don't see them being the unbeatable dominant force in future, not least until the new engine regulations anyway

Yeah, I agree. I can see Redbull winning this and at least next year. Mercedes may beat Ferrari (to 2nd place) next year if they get there concept working. Then in about 3 years time the cost cap will have finally evened out the teams a bit more and McLaren dominate for 50 hundred years (ha).

Edited by MrSarcastic, 23 September 2022 - 03:17.

[MrSarcastic]

Change “Mercedes” to “Williams” and “ greater Daimler-Benz overlords” to “Frank Williams and Patrick Head” and this post could have been written in 1998.

Team Williams didn't quit though. I could see Mercedes selling up and quiting if they're not winning.

[RedRabbit]

Team Williams didn't quit though. I could see Mercedes selling up and quiting if they're not winning.

Mercedes have been in F1 since 1997 as a defacto factory outfit. Williams have won a single race since losing BMW and propped up the last 2 grid slots more often than not.

The Williams team was also sold, remember, and have been relying on pay drivers and Mercedes juniors for over a decade.

Mercedes on the other hand have been paying big money to drivers like Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and of course Lewis Hamilton.

Privateer teams bring virtually nothing to F1

[helioseism2]

I wouldn’t be as specific as “the next couple of seasons”, but yes. It’s what all manufacturers do, time and time again.

Like Ferrari?

[PayasYouRace]

Like Ferrari?

Not like Ferrari, whose core business was always racing in Grands Prix.

[baddog]

Like Ferrari?

 

They are the only manufacturer never to leave, and they were never really a mainstream manufacturer anyway.

 

Merc board will one day get, well, bored.

[monolulu]

I believe Mercedes will get back to fighting for championships in the next couple of years & that Lewis’s determination & drive will be crucial to getting them there. 

[Atreiu]

The evil empire is merely resting. 

 

For 15 years and counting.