Until last year, Mercedes was part of a joint-venture with McLaren Automotive in F1 – the Germans had 40 percent of the F1 operation – a collaboration which they decided to end in order to buy 75.1 percent of the title winning team Brawn GP. That gave them complete control over their F1 operations, among with several other financial advantages.
“To be honest, it was always my opinion that Mercedes should have taken over McLaren years ago. So what they've done now is absolutely sound. Now it's theirs to call the shots,” opinionated Ecclestone.
Haug further praised his company's strategy when buying Brawn GP, as the move was done with little financial effort from by Stuttgart based manufacturer.
“Because Brawn GP won the championship last season, we get substantial funding from the rights holder, and we have partnered with great sponsors. We contribute with the engine and a small group of people in key areas – and that's it,” said Haug.
“It's a very efficient system, and I am sure Bernie would agree when I say that how we've done it could be a role model for when other manufacturers join F1,” added the Mercedes official.
Shortly after Mercedes purchased 75.1 percent of Brawn GP, some voices from within Daimler AG's board of directors hit at this move, insisting that the Germans should not have continued their involvement in the costly F1 given the economic crisis worldwide. Haug replied immediately, saying that the F1 team is mostly running by itself, as Mercedes' financial input in the Brackley organization is minimal.
“I can only say that our investment in the purchase of Brawn GP paid off. No other team had more exposure over the winter than the rebirth of the real Silver Arrows,” concluded Haug.
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