Mercedes GP: A Team With a Lot of History

9 Mar 2010

After years as Mclaren’s engine supplier, Mercedes will also step into the ring to fight it alone this season, following their November takeover of 2009 constructors champions Brawn GP. The German car giant are not new to F1 however, they are one of the longest running Grand Prix manufacturers of all time.

Mercedes claim they in fact took part in the very first car race, all the way back in 1894 between Paris and Rouen in France, and their relationship with Grand Prix racing is as old as the sport itself.

Motor racing became increasingly popular after the First World War as cars became progressively more powerful and track were created, normally on closed public roads. Daimler (of Daimler-Benz, makers of Mercedes) was among the first companies to develop such things as supercharged engines for racing.

After a long absence from the sport because of The War and withdrawing from the sport Mercedes rejoined the Formula 1 grid as engine suppliers for Sauber in 1994, before joining forces with McLaren the following year.

After several years of success with McLaren and numerous world championships from the likes of Mika Hakkinen twice and Lewis Hamilton most recently Mercedes have once again decided to take a forward step and take a majority share of the Brawn GP team, where they will compete with McLaren and Sauber and main rivals Ferrari.

With an all German line up for the season the team are expected to take a decline from last years success as Brawn GP with faster and more successful developments from the rival teams.

Looking at the Odds on Mercedes GP their success lies with 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher with odds of 5/1 to win the drivers championship and his team mate Nico Rosberg is quite a distance back, 9th favourite at 20/1. As a constructor they are anticipated to finish 4th behind Mercedes powered team McLaren, 4/1 to win the constructors, with McLaren on 9/4. Odds from 888sport, correct at time of writing and are subject to change