Mercedes ready to consider engine deal with Honda

After Ferrari publicly denied interest in supplying the Honda F1 team with engines for the 2009 season, it seems that there still might be hope for the Brackley based squad with Mercedes being open to a posible engine supply deal between the two. But in todays weak and fragile economy, Mercedes must be sure that the deal is financially sound and reliable, says president Norbert Haug.

"If there is a feasible solution with an investor for that team, we would be prepared to discuss it," Haug commented to 'autosport', "But the financial feasibility is very important. It needs to be 100 per cent bulletproof."

Haug also had this to say about the companies ability to take on another powetrain customer; "This is not ideal timing. We have lots to do with KERS and the new rev limit and so on, which is a really big task."