Merc’s Zetsche goes to Abu Dhabi for F1 talks

(GMM) Daimler and Mercedes chief Dieter Zetsche will travel to Abu Dhabi this week for the last race of the 2009 formula one season.

German language reports in Auto Motor und Sport and Motorsport Aktuell claim he will head talks about Mercedes' new plans for its grand prix foray in 2010 and beyond.

It is expected that Mercedes, with a 40 per cent shareholding in McLaren, wants to step away from that British team in favor of the new drivers' and constructors' champions, Brawn GP.

McLaren and Mercedes are however tied together by exclusive contract through 2011, making it likely that the pair will stay together until then.

Mercedes, however, reportedly wants to ramp up its collaboration with Brawn immediately; possibly by taking a 75 per cent stake in the team and having it held for now by Daimler shareholder AABAR.

AABAR is an Abu Dhabi state-owned investments company.