Mercedes’ spending on its Formula 1 team has spiralled, according to its latest corporate accounts for the 2011 financial year.
The Anglo-German outfit spent £242.1 million, split by roughly 50/50 between their F1 team and engine division.
Whilst the team’s expenditure dropped slightly by 0.2 per cent to £125.7 million, the Brixworth division, which designs and assembles their V8 engines, jumped by 54.2 per cent to £116.4 million.
The rise can be attributed to the research and development costs of the new 1.4 litre, V6-turbo charged engines, which are a requirement of the 2014 regulations.
The accounts show R&D spending increased by £17.3 million to £52.4 million, whilst employment levels across the board rose by 76 staff, totalling 989 in total. That accounts for a wage bill of over £60 million.
The team are coming under increasing pressure from the Mercedes-Benz board to deliver race wins, as well as reduce its expenditure.
