When Mercedes took over the Brawn grand Prix team it was announced that their former partners at McLaren would be re-acquiring the forty percent stake that had been purchased by the German engine giant during their long partnership and according to the team’s principal, Martin Whitmarsh, the purchase scheme is well and trolley on track.

Speaking at the launch of the company’s new supercar, the MP4-12C, Whitmarsh confirmed to reporters that the amount left under Mercedes ownership was basically nonexistent with the majority of shares being picked up by the McLaren Group.

"I think it is about 11% that is still owned by Mercedes but it's not an important or significant number," he said.