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Haug Says Mercedes Remains
As Committed "As It Can Be" |
Mercedes Motorsport VP Norbert Haug said that Mercedes-Benz "remains as committed to its [F1] future as it can be amid the current worldwide economic difficulties," according to Jonathan Noble of AUTOSPORT.com. There has been "widespread speculation in German media this week that Mercedes-Benz could withdraw from F1 if McLaren is punished heavily" in
next week's FIA world council meeting. But Haug said that he has had "assurances from his chiefs in Stuttgart that the company has every intention of remaining in the sport." Haug does concede that the current financial problems being faced by car manufacturers worldwide "means there is no guarantee of the situation remaining unchanged indefinitely" (
AUTOSPORT.com, 4/24). Meanwhile, in London, Tom Cary notes Haug "admitted that his company is evaluating its partnership" with the McLaren F1 team. McLaren is charged with "bringing the sport into disrepute by lying to race stewards in Australia and Malaysia earlier this month," and Mercedes, which owns 40% of McLaren, is "worried about the scandal's effect on its brand image." Haug: "For Mercedes it is very important to handle things the right way, but the important positions within the team are currently filled by people who are not part of Mercedes" (
London TELEGRAPH, 4/24).
