Mercedes Engine Deal in the Balance

• News
• Published: 14 Jan 2009 in Motoring and General

A deal for Mercedes to supply engines to the former Honda F1 team will only be agreed if the German manufacturer's motorsport boss judges the agreement to be "100% bulletproof".

Honda Racing are still without a concrete way back into F1 following the shock announcement just before Christmas they were withdrawing from the sport.

The team's chief executive Nick Fry claimed last week that a dozen potential buyers have been whittled down from an initial 30.

It is understood an announcement regarding a new owner is due to be announced by the end of next week, leaving the team just over two months to prepare for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29.

That would include finding an engine supplier, and after Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali yesterday ruled out his marque, the focus has now switched to Mercedes.

Currently a stakeholder in McLaren, Mercedes have already signed one deal to work with Force India for 2009.

Mercedes' Norbert Haug, though, concedes another with whoever takes over Honda would need to be financially cast iron.

"If there is a feasible solution with an investor for that team, we would be prepared to discuss it," Haug told autosport.com.

"But the financial background needs to be there. You cannot give any presents at this time and in this (financial) climate, but we would like to help for the sake of Formula One."