A new collaboration?

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Formula One world champions Mercedes say they will explore closer ties with Force India after that team’s change of ownership, along the lines of Ferrari’s relationship with Haas and Sauber.

Some rivals – notably Renault, McLaren and Williams – have expressed concern that Formula One risks becoming even more of a twotier championship with manufacturer ‘A’ teams and closely-linked ‘B’ outfits.

US-owned Haas have a close technical agreement with Ferrari while Sauber have a long tradition of using the Italian team’s engines and running drivers contracted to Ferrari.

Red Bull also own two teams, with Toro Rosso the junior outfit, who will both have Honda engines next year.

“Obviously a few years ago when Ferrari spotted the potential in collaborating closely with another team it triggered a thought process with everybody else,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told reporters at the Belgian Grand Prix.

“You can see that, and only Ferrari will know how much benefit that has generated but there is benefit in such a cooperation if it is structured well,” added the Austrian, who also emphasised there were limits.

Wolff noted that Force India’s Silverstone factory was just a few miles down the road from Mercedes’ Brackley base and said he would “explore all avenues” within the permissible regulations. – Reuters