Mercedes to leave F1 after McLaren deal? Wolff responds

Toto Wolff says Mercedes' future deal with McLaren will not result in the Silver Arrows departing Formula 1 as a works team.

McLaren operated as Mercedes' works team between 1995 and 2008, remining as a customer until the end of 2014 when an ill-fated reunion with Honda was signed.

With Honda, and now Renault engines, McLaren have failed to finish on the podium and Saturday at the Russian Grand Prix arrived with the news of the eight-time constructors' champions once again returning to Mercedes' supply.

McLaren's run as Mercedes' works team delivered three drivers' titles, a constructors' championship and 78 of the team's 182 grand prix victories.

"The relationship is pretty strong because of these days," Wolff said.

Mercedes have confirmed they will supply Williams until 2025, with Racing Point also on-board, but a third customer team will not push the Silver Arrows to take the works team off the grid.

"For us it is important to make it clear that there is a works team today, and this is a customer power unit relationship, and not the start of a works deal, and us not being there any more," Wolff said.

"As it stands we are keen in understanding how F1 goes forward, how it develops, and continuing preferably as a works team."

He added: "We have a strong set-up as engine supplier which goes back a very long time, and we have a works team that has been doing well, and both have merit, jointly and independently.

"So to avoid any misunderstanding this is not a point where we can spread our bets and say we may stay as an engine supplier, and not as a works team.

"This is not what I'm saying. We enjoy being a works team."

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