Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Mercedes should pull out of the sport after 2020. Ecclestone’s advice to the Brackley outfit is to leave Formula 1 as a works team. The 89-year-old believes the German team should continue as an engine supplier in Formula 1 for its customer teams.

Ecclestone feels Mercedes should quit while they’re ahead

Mercedes has dominated the sport for the last 6 years. The German team is undefeated in the turbo-hybrid era and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.  However, Ecclestone is of the opinion that pulling out would be a more lucrative option for the Brackley outfit.

Bernie’s advice to Ola Kallenius, the head of Daimler (Mercedes’ parent group) – is to exit F1 after the 2020 season. Ecclestone believes the Brackley outfit has nothing left to prove and can afford an exit. Speaking exclusively to Sport1, Ecclestone said:

“I met the current Mercedes boss Ola Källenius when he was still managing the Mercedes F1 engine factory in Brixworth. So he knows what it’s about. At the moment, however, he has other problems than his Formula 1 project”

“If I were him, I would sell the team at the end of 2020. What has Mercedes to prove after six titles in a row? Nothing more. Every world champion after that would have to live with the shortcoming, only to have won the title because of the lack of Mercedes.

“However, he should continue to deliver hybrid motors. That is your marketing tool. Pure high-tech, the most cost-effective engines out there that also win in Formula 1”

Bernie backs McLaren-Merc partnership

Ecclestone also admitted that the introduction of the turbo-hybrid engines was a mistake. The former F1 mogul stated Mercedes domination as a reason for the turbo-hybrid era not becoming a game-changer.

“Shortly after its introduction in 2014, I knew that we had all made a mistake. Mercedes was hopelessly superior and unbeatable. It will stay that way as long as these engines are used.”

Ecclestone advised the Brackley outfit to stick with Mclaren like the old days and achieve success together. Last year, Mclaren announced its decision to revert to Mercedes power in 2021. The British team enjoyed varying degrees of success while partnering up with the German manufacturer as an engine supplier for nearly 2 decades.

“So why not make McLaren a factory team as before and put the star on everyone else’s car? Because one thing is clear: no matter which team wins with its engine, Mercedes will always stand behind success”