Mercedes Offer Low Cost Engine to Other Teams

Mercedes are offering their engine to other teams than McLaren for a significant low cost, vice president Norbert Haug revealed in San Marino.

Mercedes have been supplying engines in Formula One since 1994 - initially to Sauber and since 1995 to McLaren, with whom they also have a 40% stake in the team. Now Haug says the German engine manufacturer is ready to supply engines to additional teams at a low cost.

"Currently, engine lease is something like 20-25 million dollar a year," Haug said, "and we offer the engine in the future, starting with next year, for 10 million dollar a year."

Ferrari are currently supplying engines to Sauber reportedly at 25 million a year, while Cosworth supplies engines to Jordan and Minardi at a reported 10-15 million a year. Both Ferrari and Cosworth, however, supply old-spec engines to their non-factory teams.

"This is a very constructive process from our side," Haug stated. "We made the suggestion and we also spoke to other manufacturers [so they would do the same]. I think this is a good step forward; we made this initiative happen and other manufacturers will join. It's easier for a team to pay 10 than to pay currently 25, and we are happy to talk to the teams who are interested next year."

Asked if Mercedes are already negotiating with other teams, Haug clarified: "we are not in negotiations but we are now open to it."