Toto Wolff has denied claims of a potential Mercedes-INEOS split. This comes after the Telegraph reported the major sponsor and historic F1 team were under threat.
INEOS, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owns a one-third stake in the Mercedes Formula 1 team. The other shares are held by Mercedes-Benz and Toto Wolff. However, INEOS was reportedly contemplating an exit from the team, with Mercedes looking to own two-thirds of the team.
The Austrian swiftly rejected these claims, reinforcing the stability of the current partnership. At the F1 75 event this week, Wolff spoke to the media regarding the rumours circulating. Stating that Ratcliffe selling his shares was “never an option.”
“Jim Ratcliffe is one of us three amigos: Mercedes, Jim, and I. We are never going to part ways. He’s been a great sponsor. We have had projects together. Nothing you read in the news will change anything.”
What fuelled the Mercedes-INEOS split rumours?
The speculation around INEOS’ future with Mercedes began amid the company’s financial adjustments for its Sporting ventures. Cutbacks have included an increase in ticket prices at Manchester United games. As well as a legal dispute with the New Zealand Rugby Union team based on unpaid sponsorship money.
These financial cutbacks led many to wonder if there was an imminent announcement surrounding their partnership with the Mercedes team. However, Toto Wolff and Mercedes remain confident that INEOS’ commitment to their team remains strong.
Mercedes looks forward to 2025
With the Mercedes-INEOS split rumours put to bed, the British team focus their attention on the 2025 season. The team will have its first shakedown with 2025 drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli before pre-season testing begins next week.
The W16 and 2025 season marks a new era for the Mercedes team. Seeing a twelve-year partnership between Lewis Hamilton and the team coming to an end. The team have to navigate a season without the seven-time world drivers champion who has since joined Ferrari.
However, this move opens a door of opportunities for both Russell and Antonelli in the upcoming seasons. Toto Wolff reiterated this by stating, “Mercedes has a long history in motorsport, and it’s an unbelievable honour to carry that baton forward. We start to write the next chapter in our story this year with George and Kimi, and we’re excited to get going.”
Feature Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz Archive
