Jackie Stewart urges Mercedes to leave F1 works team role
Sir Jackie Stewart has called on Mercedes to withdraw its factory Formula One team and focus on supplying engines, arguing the brand has more to gain as a dominant supplier than a front-running constructor.
Sir Jackie Stewart has said Mercedes should consider withdrawing its works Formula One team and instead concentrate on supplying engines, warning that the company risks its reputation by continuing as a constructor while rivals close the gap.
Stewart, a three-time world champion and former team owner, told Brazil’s Globo Esporte that Mercedes’ unprecedented run of success since 2014 puts it in a similar position to Ford in the Cosworth era. He said he would propose the German carmaker exit as a works team before being beaten, remaining in the sport as a supplier and allowing its engines to power multiple teams to victory.
“If I was a member of the decision-making group, I would propose that Mercedes leaves F1,” Stewart said, drawing a parallel with Ford’s strategy of supplying Cosworth engines to a range of teams. Stewart won his own titles with Ford Cosworth power, and pointed out that the engine’s legacy was cemented by its success with several outfits, not just a single works team.
Stewart's reasoning and historical context
Stewart argued that Mercedes’ dominance is not guaranteed to last. He warned that the Daimler board would not want to see the brand’s reputation damaged if Ferrari, Red Bull or another rival eventually overhauled the Silver Arrows. By stepping back from running its own team, Stewart said, Mercedes could maintain its winning image for longer, as its engines would likely remain the benchmark for customer teams.
He cited the Ford Cosworth DFV programme, which powered teams including Matra, Tyrrell, McLaren, Williams and Lotus to championships. Stewart suggested that Mercedes could achieve a similar legacy, with its name associated with multiple winners rather than risking a high-profile defeat as a constructor.
Debate over recognition and risk
Some have questioned whether supplying engines alone would deliver the same brand recognition as winning with a works team. Stewart’s view is that the breadth of success, rather than a single dominant team, would be more valuable in the long term. Critics point out that in recent years, engine suppliers such as Renault have not always received public credit for their technical achievements when teams like Red Bull took the headlines.
Mercedes has dominated Formula One’s hybrid era, winning both drivers’ and constructors’ titles since 2014. Stewart expects that run to continue in the short term, but his comments reflect a concern that the cycle of dominance in F1 is always temporary. He believes the company should act before the inevitable shift in competitive balance.
What it might mean for F1 and Mercedes
If Mercedes were to follow Stewart’s advice, it would mark a major shift in the sport’s current structure. The team’s exit would open up the grid, while its engines could power a wider range of competitors. Stewart contends this would be good for both the brand and the sport, bringing more variety to the podium and keeping Mercedes’ technical reputation intact.
There is no indication from Mercedes that such a move is under consideration. The manufacturer remains committed to its works team, which continues to set the pace in Formula One. Stewart’s comments, however, highlight the strategic questions facing manufacturers at the top of the sport, especially when dominance brings both rewards and new risks.
