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On the basis that Renault were to buyout Team Lotus, this would mean that Mercedes could therefore power another team on the grid.
The manufacture has all-but ruled out supplying Red Bull Racing, which therefore opens up an opportunity for Manor to become the 4th team on the grid to be Mercedes Powered. Team Principle Toto Wolf has confirmed that this is very much a possibility:
"On the engine, we had some discussions and they're interested in exploring the competitive environment," he told AUTOSPORT.
"They have a Ferrari engine today but it's a young team and a new team and they need to meet with all engine suppliers and make the best deal for yourself.
"This is why we've been talking to them."
Obviously Manor are the poorest funded teams on the grid, with them only being able to afford last year's Ferrari Power Unit. More than likely they would try to negotiate some sort of unique deal with Mercedes. Something along the lines of taking one of their reserves drivers such as Pascal Wehrlein in order to strike a cheap Engine Deal. Especially considering Wolf has admitted he wants to find Wehrlein a seat for next year.
"Now it's about looking at the market overall and the other teams, but we are not under pressure.
We need to find the right seat for him."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It would make sense for Manor in plenty of ways to strike a deal with Mercedes: they dont have any sponsors tied with Ferrari, so they wont lose money on it, and the Mercedes engine is currently much more powerful and less expensive, at least when comparing current versions (not sure what difference there is in costs between last year's and this year's Ferrari PU). Add in some money from a few drives from e.g Wehrlein or any other Mercedes driver, and they might actually drag out or even escape their downfall.
khasmir
Posts: 893
Hmmm, not so sure of this, seems to be mere speculation.
1. Manor not running the 2015 Ferrari engine is because it just wouldn't fit the 2014 chassis
2. Engine deals are set for a whole season, not much affected by newer versions or specs
3. As far as I know, Manor is more focused on 2016, most likely with a Ferrari engine in mind
But for Manor costs are a significant factor. I have seen reports that claimed a Merc engine deal is actually cheaper than Renault. No idea about Ferrari prices...
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
True, its very much speculations, and Im not sure Ferrari will let them go that easily anyway: Manor still has that debt to Ferrari to pay off. This season seems more like a "testing season" for them.
As far as Lotus said during their recent engine supplier switch, and what various F1 pundits has claimed, the Mercedes PU is cheaper compared to Renault, and Ferrari's PU is supposedly somewhere around Renault's in terms of costs. Not sure if they did or didnt include the sponsor money from Total all Renault teams get in that equation, though.
Black Book
Posts: 1,684
If Manor gets Mercedes power, it would utlimately mean Vandoorne and Magnussen will not be driving their car. I rather expect Wehrlein and a pay driver...
khasmir
Posts: 893
Not sure I can follow. Manor has no link to either McLaren or Honda that I am aware of so why would Vandoorne or Magnussen drive for Manor if they don't switch to Merc power?