Mercedes have denied reports they will quit the sport if a new deal cannot be struck with the sports owners, CVC Capital Partners.
A report in The Times claims the German marque is looking to pull its team and engine supply if CVC and FOM don’t agree to more favourable terms under the new Concorde Agreement.
Currently Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren have been granted ‘special’ status as three of the most successful teams in the sport, which under the new agreement entitles them to additional prize money and the option to elect a member of the board when the business is floated on the Singapore stock market later this year.
This has angered the bosses at Mercedes who believe the team isn’t being treated fairly considering its rich history in motorsport and its successes as an engine supplier, though Bernie Ecclestone clearly disagrees.
“Why should Mercedes have the same deal as the others?” he is quoted as saying. “What have they done in Formula One? They won a race and that is it.”
It’s believed Mercedes have totted up the cost of quitting and compared that to remaining in the sport under the less than favourable terms.
However, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed that there are no plans to quit, yet, as discussions are ongoing.
“We are in discussions with the commercial rights holder and we would like to ask for your understanding that we are not currently commenting on these discussions.”
Meanwhile Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug added: “There is absolutely no truth [to the reports],” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
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