Haug unhappy with McLaren’s image problem

Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug has said the team is evaluating its partnership with the McLaren Formula 1 team. The German car manufacturer currently owns 40% of the shares in McLaren but is not amused with the team's image problem. "We are part of this team (McLaren) and normally we will also be part of it in 2010," Haug told Germany's Focus about Mercedes' partnership with McLaren. The damaged caused to McLaren's image due to the lying-scandal in Melbourne is something Mercedes is very unhappy about. "For Mercedes it is very important to handle things the right way, but the important positions within the team are currently filled by people who are not part of Mercedes."

Mercedes is currently 40% shareholder at McLaren and engine supplier to Force India and Brawn GP. Haug admits Mercedes could change its position in Formula 1 and put their main focus on multiple teams rather than just one team (McLaren). "At least once a year we evaluate the situation in Formula 1 and think about our future in the sport. There's always the option to change our position in F1 and simply become an engine supplier only."