Financial crisis could force Mercedes out of F1

Ralf Schumacher believes that Mercedes could leave Formula 1 at the end of 2020.

The financial crisis of 2008/09 saw manufacturer teams BMW, Toyota and Honda all part ways with Formula 1, and Schumacher feels that the reigning champions could follow suit in 2020 - although it may not be the first option considered by the German marque.

“I believe there is a possibility that they [Mercedes] could leave Formula 1 due to the crisis at the end of the year," Schumacher told Bild.

“We had that with BMW over ten years ago. The possibility is always there although I think that due to Mercedes’ successes of recent years, I don’t think getting out of F1 will be the first step for them."

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Mercedes joined the Formula E grid ahead of this current season and, with the focus of the motoring industry moving away from hybrid technology and more towards electrification, it could be that the Formula 1 champions are forced to choose between F1 and Formula E.

Audi recently announced that they would leave the DTM at the end of 2020, electing to focus on Formula E instead.

Ferrari and Renault stand as the only two manufacturer efforts alongside Mercedes in Formula 1 whereas, in Formula E, Mercedes compete against their German rivals BMW, Porsche and Audi as well as Jaguar, Nissan, DS and NIO.

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