Mercedes won’t buy McLaren

Mercedes officials have insisted that they will not follow BMW and take complete charge of a Formula One team. BMW, who has supplied engines to the Williams team since 2000, are to take control of the Sauber team in January.

Mercedes have been working with McLaren since 1995 and their DaimlerChrysler parent already owns 40% of the team, who have improved after a poor 2004.

But Motorsport Director Norbert Haug said: "There is no need for us to change our thinking." McLaren finished fifth in last season's Championship, after recording only one win. But despite this year's resurgence, Haug is aware that a good engine is no longer a guarantee of success.

"I know that it is much more difficult to build a chassis than to build an engine, with all due respect to the engine guys," he said. "You will find four or five engines in the pit lane right now that are very comparable but you obviously do not find five top chassis at the moment."

He welcomed the move by BMW to take over Sauber and said: "It's a great commitment for Formula One and I am happy that we do not have to pay for it." BBC Sport