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Toto Wolff says that Brexit is a big worry for Mercedes, as he believes the situation will have a "major impact" on its F1 operations.
Great Britain is set to leave the European Union after it voted the move through in a 2016 referendum. However, the process has since proved to be complex, with issues emerging for British companies importing and exporting international goods.
Seven of F1's ten teams are currently based in the United Kingdom, and Wolff believes that those who are based outside of it (Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Toro Rosso), will have a major advantage over the rest of the field.
“Brexit is a major concern for us and should be a major concern for all of us that live in the UK and operate out of the UK,” Wolff said.
“We’re Formula 1 teams that travel to tests and travel to races at least 21 times a year. We are moving in out of the UK, our people move in and out of the UK, the way we are getting parts and services at the last moment into the UK and any major disruption with borders or taxes would damage the F1 industry in the UK.
“Our team is an international team, a German brand, that has its F1 operations in the United Kingdom and we have 26 different nationalities in our team and many EU citizens and uncertainty at the moment at whether the industry will be impacted by a no-deal Brexit or a Brexit.
“That is damaging to what is, to me, one of the outstanding industries in the UK. We have said before that it is the mother of all messes.”
Wolff added that Mercedes is looking at alternatives in the event of a no-deal Brexit, as it would not only have major implications on its F1 project, but also for its "mother brand."
“We are looking at the various scenarios with Mercedes-Benz UK, because it not only impacts Formula 1 but it also impacts the mother brand and getting cars and parts in and out of the country,” added Wolff.
“If a no-deal Brexit would happen, I think it would have a major impact in terms of our operation going to the races and getting our cars developed and ready. That is a nightmare scenario that I don’t want to even envisage.”
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (6)
Login to replyRichfletcher
Posts: 2
Sadly the educated opinions of the leaders of industry are dismissed as “project fear”. These are the people we should actually be listening to.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Too many UK politicians aren’t listening but what is more concerning is none of the the Europeans politicians have been listening at all. Now the industrialists are starting to panic.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Damn Brexit. What the hell where you thinking England... now even affecting my favourite sport.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think the issue with Brexit was that, like in most countries nowadays, people voted with their hearts, and when it comes to politics, that is a really bad thing, more often than not. But it has been up to May to ensure that companies and the likes wouldn't be affected, and so far it hasn't been working.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Not really to get into politics here as it’s the wrong forum but immigration was the biggest issue by far, 300,000 net 0.5M gross every year and open borders all the way to Russia. That’s 1 million extra every 3 years. Not enough room or services. We didn’t build a wall we pulled up the drawbridge - you know Olde English style. In my opinion, Toto is posturing, won’t make a tad of difference. It doesn’t stop me or anyone flying all over the world - how many GP’s are not in Europe? If there is to be an effect, Merc is the team most likely to be affected, and Renault both being under European car maker ownership. Brexit doesn’t affect anyone else at all.
Norbert
Posts: 108
OMG Mercedes are running mid-field and I see Clark Kent glasses with clear lenses that are as fake as the editorial advertising that promoted Brexit! This is all just a bad dream.