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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: John S on September 13, 2020, 01:53:28 PM

Title: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: John S on September 13, 2020, 01:53:28 PM

This report in Daily Mail claims its probably close to a done deal.  :swoon:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-8726425/Ineos-700m-bid-buy-Mercedes-chemicals-giant-set-70-cent-share-F1-team.html

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Jericoke on September 14, 2020, 01:52:01 AM

Does that include the engine operations?

Or do they become another customer team?

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Monty on September 14, 2020, 09:41:48 AM

The information comes from Eddie Jordan so at the moment I simply do not believe it!

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Jericoke on September 15, 2020, 01:26:53 AM

Quote from: monty on September 14, 2020, 09:41:48 AM

The information comes from Eddie Jordan so at the moment I simply do not believe it!

It's true, he does seem to report anti-rumours most of the time, doesn't he?

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Alianora La Canta on September 16, 2020, 01:31:28 PM

Sometimes Eddie is uncannily insightful about what is going to happen in the paddock.

This is not one of them.

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Willy on September 17, 2020, 06:36:52 PM

I can't see it.
Merc has no reason to step back as they at the pointy end of the wedge and the old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" still rings true. After all, they are a car company first and foremost.

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: Jericoke on September 18, 2020, 03:23:55 PM

Quote from: Willy on September 17, 2020, 06:36:52 PM

I can't see it.
Merc has no reason to step back as they at the pointy end of the wedge and the old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" still rings true. After all, they are a car company first and foremost.

I know what you mean!  My pocketbook wishes Red Bull would win more, it's way cheaper buying a can of that over a new Mercedes every weekend!  At least I don't have to worry about financing all those Ferraris anymore.  (It's just as well Racing Point never wins, I've never seen a Racing Point for sale... well, once, but Stroll's dad bought it before they won, but it had a different name.)

But in all seriousness, I'm sure Mercedes is keeping a close eye on how effective the race team is at driving sales. What I liked about the Honda programme was they used it as an internal reward for Honda employees to get two years on the race team for a job well done.  It hampered the race programme by using 'regular' people instead of career race engineers, but it was something to sell to the board.

Title: Re: Are Merc about to sell F1 team to INEOS?
Post by: John S on December 18, 2020, 02:04:39 PM

Looks like there was some substance to the original story with the news from 'Racefans', below.

This dilution of Merc ownership could well be them easing themselves out of F1 at a future date whilst leaving a viable team on the grid.

https://www.racefans.net/2020/12/18/mercedes-sells-stake-in-team-to-ineos-as-wolff-extends-contract-as-team-principal/