Hamilton to Mercedes confirmed today

[John S]

Regarding the Mercedes comparison with Toyota and Honda, I was under the impression that Merc was actually spending relatively little money (for a manufacturer) on its Formula 1 effort.

I could be wrong, and this may well have changed now that they have opened up more financial resources to secure Hamilton.  I seem to recall, however, Ross Brawn telling the BBC last year that Mercedes actually didn't have as much in the way of financial resources as some were suggesting.

I think this situation is changing, Ross and the team have been busy adding numbers to the payroll in the last few months to bring it up to the same sort of size as Red Bull and Macca, in particular they have been strengthening the areo and technical departments.

When Honda pulled out and the team became Brawn they had to halve the workforce for financial reasons, Merc's arrival allowed for some extra staff but it's only now that they have accepted the need to bring the factory and team up to the level of the front runners. This is another reason that Lewis is both needed and has agreed to sign on.

 

[Monty]

I always worry about teams that are ultimately controlled by bean counters and this will always be the case when the team is owned by a major manufacturer (other than Fiat / Ferrari).

Recent history has only fuelled my concerns - Honda, Toyota, BMW

F1 teams have to have access to finance quickly, so they can react to situations as they arise. Big Corporates like gradual, planned, justified expense.

I can't see Mercedes giving Ross enough freedom to compete with McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and with lack of suitable freedom they could quickly come under threat from Sauber, Williams, etc.
I deliberately avoid commenting on Lotus because I really do not understand the ownership. Renaults involvement has always impressed me. For a company that stuggles to sell cars anywhere other than France, their commitment to Motor Sport is spectacular - just witness a World Renault Series event and you can't help but be impressed.

[F1fanaticBD]

Renaults involvement has always impressed me. For a company that stuggles to sell cars anywhere other than France, their commitment to Motor Sport is spectacular - just witness a World Renault Series event and you can't help but be impressed.

Don't forget Monty, they are the parent company of Nissan now, so their involvement in motorsports is impressively wide and varied...