With Ferrari likely to provide Red Bull with engines in 2016 and the impending takeover of Lotus by Renault, Mercedes may provide Manor with engines for next season, according to Autosport.
Manor, who is running with a one-year-old Ferrari engine, could be looking for new opportunities, as Toto Wolff explained:
“On the engine, we had some discussions and they’re interested in exploring the competitive environment”
“They have a Ferrari engine today but it’s a young team and a new team and they need to meet with all engine suppliers and make the best deal for yourself. This is why we’ve been talking to them.”
However, it is not yet certain this will take place, since the FIA regulations say a team can only supply engines to a maximum of three teams, and so would need their approval, or stop supplying to one of the current teams: Williams, Lotus and Force India.
But with the possibility of Renault buying Lotus, it opens a door for Manor.
“It’s a capacity question [with Manor] and at the bottom we don’t know what is happening with Lotus and Renault and this is why you have to keep all options open.”
If this partnership takes place next year, it could propel Mercedes test and reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein into a race seat.
“We haven’t talked to Manor about drivers yet because I think it’s too early”
“So I definitely see him having the potential to go into F1, but at the moment my agenda is purely concentrated on the racing team and locking in the championship.”
Although all this is still rumours, Toto Wolff made very clear his intentions concerning the young German.
“We need to find the right seat for him.”
