Mercedes: 410 million euros spent on F1 in 2013
Mercedes indicated, in its accounts for the year 2013, that it spent more than 410 million euros on its F1 division, a record since its return.
World Constructors’ Champion of 2014, after the ninth one-two finish of the season secured at the Russian Grand Prix, Mercedes agreed to a budget increase to make the turbo-hybrid regulatory shift a total success.
The star-branded company revealed its accounts for the 2013 fiscal year, and it appears that the expenses related to Formula 1 increased by 17%, reaching approximately 410 million euros, according to The Independent.
The engine manufacturing division located in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, accounted for 175 million euros, which is double the budget allocated for this same division in 2010, the year of their return to the top discipline. Successfully so, as after 16 races in 2014, the Mercedes engine won 13 times, achieved 35 podiums, and secured 16 pole positions.
At the same time, 240 million euros were spent to fully operate the team, notably to develop the chassis. Again, this is a record for Mercedes since its return.
Business should continue to be good for Mercedes next season, both as a constructor since it will receive the 50 million euros allocated to the world champion, and as an engine supplier: if McLaren leaves after a twenty-season collaboration, Lotus will adorn itself with the star and equip itself with the accompanying hybrid V6 engine.
At the same time, the team announced that a minimum bonus of approximately 12,500 euros would be granted to each of the firm’s employees, whose number is about 700. The news of these 8.8 million euros, released by the constructors’ title, was announced yesterday by Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe during the celebration of the title in Brackley, where the headquarters of Mercedes AMG F1 is located. The Guardian explains that for those in the most important positions, the bonus could be more substantial, indicating that the 8.8 million euros are just a baseline.
On the drivers’ side, the intention is to maintain the Hamilton-Rosberg duo beyond 2015, according to Wolff. These two guys are part of the team’s success; they know each other very well and respect each other. A contract extension is currently being negotiated between the Briton and Mercedes.
