Mercedes win battle against angry business owners: 'We need this'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
Mercedes experienced another year of gloom as they went without a race victory in 2023 again, though they did finish in second place behind Red Bull. Mercedes are starting the new year with positive news. The German team has permission from West Northamptonshire City Council to adapt its campus. The BBC reports this news. Complaining business owners in the area had asked for a line to be drawn in the plans but received zero response.
Mercedes want to move their main staff access road from Lauda Drive to St James Road, a cul-de-sac that houses several small businesses. The council said this would lead to "significant economic development benefits" for the area.
Mercedes want to expand workforce
However, local businesses fear it would make the road a lot busier in terms of traffic. There was even talk of a tenfold increase in traffic movements. It was pointed in complainants that Mercedes had plans to expand operations - besides F1 - and that this would require more staff. The local business owners suspect that within five years, Mercedes will employ not 1,400 but 1,900 people.
They were also angry that - they claimed - they were not involved in Mercedes' plans at all. The F1 team informed a council meeting that alternatives had been looked at, but the proposed path was the best option. "We need to make significant investment in our site and create a world-class campus which ensures that we not only attract the highest calibre of staff but also attract and retain sponsor," Mercedes development manager Ian Smith said.