German Car Zone

2007 was arguably one of the most controversial seasons in McLaren F1 history capped with no drivers championship, being thrown out of the constructors championship and a $100 million fine. Far from acceptable for engine partner Mercedes-Benz who are reported to be negotiating to take a majority stake in the British team, a deal that would likely signal the end of Ron Dennis as team boss.
According the German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Mercedes want to have more control over the British team to eradicate errors made during the drivers title run in and are not happy with the crisis management at the height of the spying scandal. Negotiations are reported to have been ongoing since October last year.
Does this mean we will hear the German national anthem when/if we see Lewis Hamilton or Heikki Kovalainen takes the chequered flag this year?
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080116.010/mercedes-set-to-take-over-mclaren-f1-team

The team's new car did launch in the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, so this could be an early sign for the things to come.

I would be very happy to see that happen. I am a Merc fan, surely not a McLaren fan.
They surely would rename it in Mercedes-McLaren too...I don't think they would name it only Mercedes-Benz.

What would happen with the McLaren roadcar project in this case?

These buy-out rumors are week old. Dennis has said that there is nothing as such going on.

I'm quite confident Mercedes will eventually get Oijjeh's and Dennis' shares.

Mercedes play down McLaren rumours

Wednesday 16th January 2008




Mercedes have confirmed that their relationship with McLaren has not changed despite talk of a possible buy-out

Sources close to the Woking team told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that Mercedes had hoped to increase its stake in the legendary F1 team before the new season gets underway.

However, a spokesperson from Merc refused to comment on a possible buy-out, but confirmed that nothing had changed for now.

"The status quo has not changed at all. Daimler still holds 40 percent of the McLaren Group," he is quoted as saying on Autosport.

"We ask for your understanding that we will not comment on speculation beyond this."


Just an update guys

Something is on.

Merc refuses to confirm McLaren takeover



''The status quo has not changed at all''


Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday would not confirm reports that it is poised to take a majority stake in the McLaren team.

Auto Motor und Sport claimed that that the Stuttgart manufacturer has been positioning for the takeover since October last year, and has now agreed a shareholding arrangement and price with the McLaren Group.

Official confirmation is reportedly due before the start of the 2008 season in March.

But the British news agency Reuters quotes a spokesman as saying: "The status quo has not changed at all.

"Daimler still holds 40 percent of the McLaren Group. We ask for your understanding that we will not comment on speculation beyond this."

Mercedes paid an estimated $400 million for its 40 per cent stake in 1999.


Source: Formula 1 : News MERCEDES - F1-Live.com