Originally posted by Gecko
I don't think it's that simple. I think Mercedes aren't taking lightly the fact that Ron and Ojjeh sold their shares to Bahrain instead of Mercedes at the beginning of this year. McLaren without Mercedes would still do perfectly alright, whereas Mercedes starting from scratch in F1, wouldn't.
Certainly its not that simple.
I don't know about whether MB wanted those shares.
If McLaren walked away from MB, they be in huge trouble. Consider their manufacturing facility that has been tied to MB and is being paid for by contractual manufacturing for MB. MB are building their own McLaren F1 equivalent car soon, but McLaren will also be building a super car for MB ... if MB pulled the plug on all that, McLaren would be stuffed.
There's the engine issue too.
Who would buy MB's share if MB wanted out - they'd fall in value except if another auto company wanted them. That would hurt Ron & Co a lot. And Ron doesn't want to go on for too many more years.
Where would McLaren get an engine/drivetrain?
MB could always buy another team - everyone has their price. They started Sauber afterall - and now BMW have it. Buying Williams would be similar to what BMW did.