Mercedes Thinking

[Super Tourer]

I believe there is a new CEO coming into Mercedes shortly, it will be interesting to see how this 'new broom' views their F1 involvement.

On the 'will they pull out front', as other posters have mentioned, Mercedes are not only a supplier to McLaren, but also a substantial shareholder, this makes a walk away less likely and more expensive. It's widely believed that indeed Mercedes will eventually assume Ron D's stake in McLaren and their current agreement goes beyond F1 onto the production of the new SLR at McLaren's Technology Centre.

It is humilating for them, but I'm sure they will overcome their various woes. Noticably, Adrian Newey has mentioned 2006 as the year McLaren will assume a more familiar role in F1.

[Hugh Jarce]

Can anyone answer why the 'woes' and 2006 being the year of the familiar role - is it acceptable for any team to go so off the boil that they cannot release a decent package for 18 months? Or if its 2006 - around three years!

[Logrence]

As I expected - first casualty is Werner Laurenz - I suspect that if Mario Illien can work with someone he'll speak to then things will improve immeasureably within Ilmor.

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=30302

[Jaxs]

The sudden change in fortune for the Ilmor engines could have been influenced by the death of Paul Morgan, co-founder....

[Super Tourer]

Many observers have said that Paul Morgan's death has had a major impact on Ilmor, although these are now big concerns the impact of the driving forces behind it are still substantial IMO.

I think possibly Mercedes tried to make Imor into a corporate structure and it hasn't worked, there is now, I believe, an element of 'going back to basics' with Mario Ilen having more input and influence on the practical side again.