General
CEO Daimler sees Verstappen as favourite: 'Will be difficult for Lewis'
- GPblog.com
According to Bild it should become clear by mid-December whether the Volkswagen Group wants to join Formula 1 with Audi and/or Porsche. To that same medium Ola Kallenius, CEO of Mercedes' parent company Daimler, said that he is positive about the arrival of an extra engine competitor. He also briefly discusses the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in the 2021 World Championship.
Mercedes have actually had a dominant engine in the premier class of motorsport since 2014. This year Honda have moved a lot closer and there seem to be reliability issues with the Brackley-based power unit. Even more competitors could damage Mercedes' chances in Formula 1.
Yet Kallenius does not look at it that way. "Normally I would have to say: I have an advantage, so I want to keep that advantage. In this case, you have to think bigger. It's all about the new regulations, where there will be a significant simplification of the components in the combustion section. In return, we will increase the performance of the electrical part. If a manufacturer like Porsche wants to enter Formula 1 under these conditions, we would very much welcome it in the spirit of the sport."
Daimler hopes for Hamilton
The 52-year-old Swede further states that he hopes Hamilton can secure his eighth world title in the final four Grands Prix of the season. "That will be difficult, but as a racer you fight until the last race. But one thing we know for sure: the duel between Lewis and Max is the best show in years", Kallenius concludes his story.