Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 22nd November

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Brawn Becomes Mercedes

The engine manufacturer gets their own team…

• “Mercedes will compete in the F1 world championship next year starting with its own factory team. This is possible by the agreed acquisition of 75.1 per cent of Brawn GP, 45.1 per cent from Daimler and 30 per cent from our partner Aabar Investments. The rest will be with the current share – Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and other members.” Dr Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes
  
• “The senior management group will remain in place to lead our team and on behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, we are honoured to be representing such a prestigious brand as Mercedes-Benz in Formula One next year and will be working together to do our best to reward their faith in our team.” Ross Brawn
  
• “This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler. I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than merely a team.” Ron Dennis
  

Button Makes His Move

McLaren will run two world champions next year…

• “We’re running with a budget that is probably less than most of the others have spent and that’s what Mercedes likes. In these financially constrained times, you do have to tighten your belt. We’ve had discussions with Jenson on what we think is a sensible salary and this is not going to change anything in that respect.” Nick Fry
  
• “His best future is with our team, where he has a good group around him, and there’s a lot to be said for that. The logical thing would be for him to stay with us, but of course logic doesn’t always prevail.” Ross Brawn
  
• “”I’m sure Jenson has already started to appreciate our team’s unique culture and the special family atmosphere that makes it such an incredible place to live and work. We really are like one big family – and I’m sure Jenson will feel the warmth of that welcome from day one.” Lewis Hamilton
  

Other Team Movements

There was other news this week as well…

• “The team may be small and new but it has big ambitions and a very impressive car and development programme. I am confident that I can play a big role in terms of my technical input and that’s a fantastic opportunity for me. I can’t wait to start testing the new car early next year.” Timo Glock on Manor GP
  
• “Up until now we have dealt with this over the phone, and given the progress, we went to visit the team personally and talk to Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson about it. We verbally agreed a deal that will be completed next week.” Jose Maria Lopez
  
• “I cannot stress highly enough that Toto is a minority shareholder. The company is still under my control and I will not relinquish control of the business until I go completely.” Frank Williams on Toto Wolff