F1: Dieter Zetsche is in Abu Dhabi for F1 talks, Norbert Haug comments

From GMM

Daimler and Mercedes chief Dieter Zetsche traveled to Abu Dhabi for the last race of the 2009 formula one season.

German language reports in Auto Motor und Sport and Motorsport Aktuell claim that the German carmaker's chairman Dieter Zetsche and other officials will be at the Yas Marina Circuit not only to discuss ramping up the collaboration with Brawn, but also dismantling the one with long-time partner McLaren.

It is expected that Mercedes, with a 40 per cent shareholding in McLaren, wants to step away from that British team in favour 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.


Norbert Haug has played down but not denied reports that Abu Dhabi will this weekend stage crucial talks about Mercedes' changing approach to formula one.

Haug, Mercedes' competition director, said in a telephone conference call that there was "nothing new to say" except that the marque has "options (about) how we present ourselves in formula one".

"There are no signatures," he confirmed, pointing out that the presence of Daimler officials in Abu Dhabi is not unusual, since the group is 9.1 per cent owned by a government investment arm.

Haug also referred to the exclusive contract with McLaren, which extends through 2011. "If we want to do something McLaren has to agree and when McLaren want to do something we have to agree. I can only assure you that we have a long term-basis association.  Everything else is speculation about which we do not comment," said the German.