Mercedes seek assurances over continued F1 participation

Daimler boss Ola Källenius has laid down the ground rules for Mercedes' continuation in Formula 1.

Although no-one expects the reigning six-time champions to withdraw from F1 at the end of this season, discussions are ongoing as to Mercedes' participation - along with the other nine teams - from 2021, with the Formula One Group.

Until Källenius, chairman of the board of management of Daimler AG, signs whatever agreement is eventually drawn up, then there are no guarantees at present Mercedes will remain in F1, although he concedes the sport continues to be an alluring proposition.

Explaining the criteria necessary, Källenius told Autocar: “As you know, negotiations are proceeding right now over the framework of a new F1 agreement for the future.

"It is important to us that any deal should be ecologically satisfactory as well as financially sound. But F1 remains a very, very attractive arena for us.”

In light of Mercedes' success over the years, F1 has provided the car manufacturer with a successful platform to promote the brand.

However, given the ongoing coronavirus crisis affecting all businesses around the world, including the likes of those as financially robust as Mercedes, continuing in F1 is likely to be viewed even more stringently.

F1 is at least pursuing a 'greener' direction, in particular as last year it announced ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2030.

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