As it struggles to regain its place at the top of Formula 1, Mercedes will invest heavily in improvements to its headquarters, factory in Brackley, in the UK. The team announced an investment of £70 million (or R$436 million) in its facilities, which have been active since 1998 as a headquarters in this category. The project has no start or end date yet.
Our campus was originally built to accommodate 350 people. Today we are 1250. Development here over the past five years has taken place at an impressive pace. Now what we are planning is to expand it with multiple new buildings and a modern site. All this for our people. To create a great workplace and hobby. We want it to become our village,” commented Toto Wolff, head of the German team.
Rafael López and Luciano Porti talk about the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Tour
Brackley became the headquarters of F1 in 1998, home to BAR – which took over the former Tyrrell. Then, Honda and finally Brawn GP, of which Mercedes took a 75% stake, moved on to celebrate the Germans’ return to the class in 2010. Since its founding, the space has undergone six renovations.
The sector responsible for manufacturing Mercedes Formula 1 cars is located in a small town with a population of 15,000, 112 km from London, the capital of England.
The eight-time construction champion’s headquarters currently houses simulators and a wind tunnel that was upgraded in 2012. The headquarters in Brackley currently occupies 60,000 square meters in area.
The expansion of the complex includes the construction of a health center, homes, restaurants and gyms. F1 and the ten teams’ commitment to promoting sustainability is embedded in the project, which will use 100% renewable energy, recycle and reduce water consumption.
According to Mercedes, the new factory will open its doors to the public, with the aim of promoting school activities in the field of engineering and science, and will join the local football team, Brackley Town Football Club, which plays in the sixth division of the English Championship. (National League North, or National League North).
Mercedes is not the only team investing in improving its facilities. Aston Martin, based in Silverstone, UK, is about to complete construction of its factory.
After the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna GP, F1 returns this weekend, on May 28, with the Monaco GP. look full calendar.