Mercedes open to F1 customer deal similar to Ferrari-Haas arrangement
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has indicated the manufacturer is open to forging closer technical links with its customer Formula 1 teams in the same manner that Ferrari works with Haas
Mercedes currently supplies its gearbox and complete hydraulic systems to Force India, while Williams only uses its engines and associated systems.
Williams backer Lawrence Stroll is keen to have a closer relationship and is pushing for the Grove team to use more Mercedes technology, and has already pitched the idea.
However deputy team principal Claire Williams has made it clear that she wants her team to remain independent and be perceived as a constructor.
Wolff says that Mercedes would consider a Haas-style deal if it made sense for all parties.
"We have seen that the system between Ferrari and Haas has worked, it has worked for both," said Wolff.
"It's an interesting revenue filler for Ferrari, and in terms of synergies, there is a lot you can work on, and it has functioned for Haas.
"They are a very competitive team without having built on a legacy, or without having built on knowhow that would have taken years and years to collect.
"So far the system is very successful, and of course our thinking goes in that direction - whether it is Williams or Force India to collaborate.
"But we are in the middle of a tough fight for this 2018 championship, so we need to prioritise."
Asked whether Mercedes could do such a deal next season he said: "We can do something for 2019. We have certain capacity."
Wolff said it was too early to say whether Mercedes could work with both of its teams.
"The devil is in the detail," he added. "It is not only about production, but it's also it is about getting in order not to distract yourself, you need to do it properly.
"It would be a long-term project and not something where you can expect a huge impact for 2019. You need two or three years to ramp up.
"It can be beneficial, but it needs to be done in the right way because you need to get the balance right between distraction and really optimising the synergies. It's not trivial."
Force India F1 podium finishes no coincidence - Sergio Perez
Why Hamilton is off his game
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix
Why “faster” Ferrari couldn’t beat Red Bull in Canadian GP
On paper the Canadian Grand Prix will go down as Max Verstappen’s latest triumph, fending off late pressure from Carlos Sainz to extend his Formula 1 world championship lead. But as safety car periods, virtual and real, shook up the race Ferrari demonstrated it can take the fight to Red Bull after recent failures
The in-demand helmet designer creating works of art for F1's best
GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV pays a visit to designer Jens Munser, to observe the production of Mick Schumacher’s special helmet for the Miami Grand Prix. What follows is some fascinating insight on the mindsets of Mick’s dad Michael, and family friend Sebastian Vettel