With Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali ruling out the possibility of supplying the doomed Honda racing team with their Formula One racing engines, Mercedes Benz has risen to the challenge and agreed to discuss the situation if so required.

"If there is a feasible solution with an investor for that team, we would be prepared to discuss it," Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug told Autosport. "But the financial background needs to be there. You cannot give any presents at this time and in this (financial) climate, but we would like to help for the sake of Formula One."

Apart from supplying the main team, McLaren, Mercedes will also be supplying Force India with engines and technical data in the 2009 season. Although they did not win the 2008 constructors championship, they did take the drivers crown, and their engines would be a plus for any potential buyer of the Honda Racing outfit.