Could Mercedes supply another team?

(Mercedes AMG F1 Team)

Mercedes could be set to power an additional team in 2015. The German manufacturer who currently supply power units to Williams Martini Racing, Sahara Force India and McLaren aswell as running their own 'works' Formula One operation are set to lose a team in 2015. After 19 season's powered by the Silver Arrows, next season will see McLaren link up with Honda for the first time since 1992 in what has been described as a long term agreement with between the two parties.

With McLaren leaving the Mercedes stable it means that the German company has a free space from 2015 onwards with the company apparently keen to replace McLaren. It is possibly to soon to agree a deal with a team for next season however, it is plausible that the company could supply Lotus with rumors suggesting that the Enstone based outfit who have been with Renault since the Benetton could be on the lookout for a new supplier from next season.

It is also possible that Mercedes could use next year to work a deal with Gene Haas and his new Formula One team Haas Formula, who are set to make their Formula One debut in 2016, although it is more likely that Haas will opt for a supply of Ferrari power units for 2016. The American attended the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this season and was spotted in the Ferrari garage and had previously said that he was in talks with the Italian team over a power unit supply deal. It is believed that Haas is also looking for a technical partner.

Ferrari already supply the Marussia F1 Team along with the Sauber F1 Team. It is very possible that Sauber team could move to Mercedes power as the two parties were previously together when Mercedes power Sauber in 1994 before switching to McLaren in 1995.

So if Sauber were to switch to Mercedes that would free up Ferrari to power Haas Formula from 2016 onwards. This is all hypothetical as we will have to wait and see what happens over the next few months and whether or not Mercedes do indeed decide to supply an additional team next season.

There has also been a suggestion that McLaren could test the new Honda 1.6 litre V6 power unit at the end of the season, with there been limited winter testing available McLaren will want to go into next season as well prepared as they can be as they start a new chapter in their history with Honda power. 

© Ben Johnston 2014