Mercedes’ Board Set up a Date to Decide Their Future in F1 Amid Rumours of Stroll-Wolff Takeover – Reports

According to the latest developments, the Daimler board will meet to decide the future of the Mercedes Formula One team. The German outfit needs to assess whether Formula One is the direction they want to take from 2021 onwards.

As per RaceFans and Autocar, a meeting will take place in February, regarding this very issue. The team’s current F1 contract will run until the end of this season, after which, they will assess their options.

What effect will the Mercedes meeting have on F1?

If Mercedes decide that a future in Formula One is not what they are seeking, it will have massive repercussions. First and foremost, what will happen to the drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas?

Secondly, what will happen to its base of operations in Brackley? Will it be taken over by another new entrant, or abandoned like the Caterham factory?

Parent company Daimler is under a lot of pressure with regard to savings. This was largely due to a shortfall in profits of several billion pounds and a plan to lay off over 10,000 staff in 2019.

Admittedly, Mercedes’ F1 programme has cost billions, though it has paid off, by dominating the last six seasons. Unfortunately, to participate in F1, a lot of sacrifices had to be made, namely extensive job cuts.

Will this mean goodbye?

If it does come to pass, Mercedes won’t be gone forever, its engine operation will still continue. This is courtesy, supplying power units to Racing Point, McLaren and Williams in 2021.

Sources have suggested that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff could partner with Lawrence Stroll to buy Mercedes. With Stroll contemplating an investment in Aston Martin, Mercedes could be rebranded in 2021.

Further adding fuel to the fire was Daimler board members attending the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Interestingly, Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 career is also up for debate as he weighs in on a contract extension.

However, Aston Martin stayed tight-lipped on the story, while Mercedes have yet to express an opinion on the matter.