Could Mercedes really quit F1?
Manufacturers come and go in Formula 1, so it's fair to assume that Mercedes will depart at some stage - with the big question being 'when?' Connect the various dots, and it seems exit may come sooner rather than later
Between the re-signing of Nico Rosberg's contract and Lewis Hamilton's admission that he pressured FIA race director Charlie Whiting over his team-mate's possible yellow-flag infringement during qualifying in Hungary, an interview was requested with Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff to allow him to comment on rumours that the company would withdraw from team ownership at the end of 2018.
The request was not granted, with the team stating: "Please feel free to say that the company declined the opportunity to comment on a story that it regards as very creative speculation!" However, investigating if there is any credibility to the speculation, a raft of factors indicate that Mercedes could exit F1 at the end of 2018 - if not totally, then as a team owner, with the engine operation continuing until the conclusion of the current technical regulations, which expire at the end of '20.
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