“We are not in a hurry and we are not quite sure when we will announce something. I said I hoped it would be before Monza, but I don't know if that will be the case now,” said Haug for the aforementioned source.
Until now, the only signed and confirmed deals Mercedes-Benz has in the Formula One Championship are with works team McLaren and independent outfit Force India – with whom they signed a 4-year agreement at the end of last year. For the 2010 season, however, the FIA rule book permits an engine manufacturer to provide a maximum of 4 teams with the necessary powerplants.
Brawn GP is nowadays rumored to discuss an equity deal with the German car maker in exchange of engine supply for the upcoming years – a contract that is likely to be signed during the course of the upcoming weeks – which leaves only one spare spot for the 2010 roster.
Although it seemed Red Bull Racing were in pole position to securing an engine deal with Mercedes during the past few months – as their contract with Renault expires at the end of 2009 – that agreement doesn't seem so sure after all. The rumors about a potential failure in negotiations between Merc and the Milton Keynes team appeared after Frank Williams was seen in the Mercedes garage during the DTM round at Brands Hatch.
The 67-year-old Brit is also looking for a switch in engine suppliers for the upcoming season, as Toyota hasn't helped him in achieving much in recent years. However, his visit to Brands Hatch may also be interpreted as a way of negotiating with Mercedes for the switch of Nico Rosberg to the Woking based team in 2010.
Google News