Mercedes F1 program in jeopardy?
The German broadcaster Sudwestrundfunk reports that, on Wednesday this week, a shareholder's meeting of the Mercedes parent Daimler is scheduled.
The carmaker is currently hemorrhaging a reported $1 billion per month, so drastic cost-saving measures – like capping executives pay – are believed to be on the agenda for the April 8 meeting.
At the same time, Mercedes' motor racing chief Norbert Haug in Malaysia last weekend said there could be no guarantees about the future of the Stuttgart based marque in F1.
"If you're asking me 'are we here for the next 10 years?' then everybody who is honest, and I am honest, cannot give you an answer about how the world, the car industry, the economical surroundings will develop," he is quoted as saying by GP Week.
"I hope it changes. It's not easy for anybody but I hope it changes."
Haug was also asked about how the 'lie-gate' scandal together with McLaren's lack of competitiveness is complicating the decision.
The latest news on Monday is that the FIA is poised to summon McLaren-Mercedes to the World Motor Sport Council to account for its behavior over 'lie-gate'.
"Victories would be better than having discussions like these," the German admitted. "But we are clearly unhappy with the situation, as it is right now."