Today is the 18th March 2010 and this is F1Minute.

Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed that McLaren have bought back the majority of the 40% stake held by Mercedes in the team, leaving them with much less. During an event today to launch the new McLaren supercar, Whitmarsh said: “I think it is about 11% that is still owned by Mercedes, but it’s not an important or significant number.” Apparently, the buy-back was agreed upon in November, and will be complete in 2011 - and it makes sense as the two are now full competitors out on track.

Elsewhere, Bridgestone have said they do not intend to reverse their decision to leave the sport, despite rumours that the FIA were keen for them to stay on. Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of motorsport, confirmed that the FIA will have to open a tender process, and the company may decide to sell the tyre technology to whoever is stepping in, but no matter what, there will be no Bridgestone tyres in 2011.

That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1Minute.