[PapaofGags]

Wolff and Stroll plotting Aston Martin takeover at Mercedes?

Mercedes are yet to commit to Formula One past the end of the 2020 season and reports now suggest that Lawrence Stroll is eyeing up a takeover of the team alongside Toto Wolff if his bid to purchase Aston Martin is successful.

After Stroll was confirmed to have met with Aston Martin last week, the nature of the meeting was not confirmed, the obvious links were drawn between the British manufacturer and Racing Point, the team currently owned by Stroll.

According to F1-insider.com, these reports are way off the mark and the Canadian has now entered into a partnership with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as Wolff looks to secure his future in the sport should Mercedes call time at the end of the season.

It was thought that Wolff was in contention to take over from Formula One CEO Chase Carey, but Ferrari vetoed the move, saying a three-year period away from the sport should be mandatory before any existing key figure takes the top job.

Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told F1-insider, "Toto wants to be prepared if Mercedes gets out and only acts as an engine manufacturer."

“Why should Mercedes continue to spend so much money on a team when they have already won everything? In terms of image, the group is completely satisfied with marketing with the hybrid engines. "

"The mere fact that Mercedes has not yet signed the new Concorde Agreement from 2021 onwards is strange."

The delay in Mercedes committing their future to Formula One is likely to be a major factor in the delay for getting Lewis Hamilton to sign on the dotted line of a contract extension.