Mercedes deny sensational report claiming rift with major F1 sponsor

Mercedes has denied speculation it is looking to buy out Ineos' stake in the team.

A report from Telegraph Sport claims Mercedes and Ineos came close to ending their partnership last year amid tense negotiations regarding the deal.

Ineos owns one-third of the Mercedes F1 team, along with Daimler and team principal Toto Wolff.

The new structure has been in place for several years, having been originally announced ahead of the 2021 campaign.

However, the report outlined the partnership hit trouble last year and Mercedes sought to buy out the stake owned by Ineos founder Jim Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe seemingly had a change of heart and recommitted to the sport.

But on Tuesday at the F1 75 launch, the lack of Ineos' logos was noticeable on the livery of the new W16 Mercedes challenger.

Ineos' logo has long occupied the area surrounding  Mercedes' airbox - but the 2025 livery only featured the partner on the front wing endplates.

A Mercedes spokesperson has told RacingNews365 that the information in the report is false.

The spokesperson acknowledged the reduced branding from Ineos on the W16 but insisted this was to create further commercial opportunities for other brands.

The report of Mercedes' alleged issues with Ineos comes as Ratcliffe continues to make headlines for a number of cutbacks in other sporting avenues, including at Manchester United.

It has also been reported that New Zealand Rugby is taking legal action against Ineos as they accuse Ratcliffe's company of failing to pay the initial instalment of its 2025 sponsorship fee.

Ineos is also involved in another legal battle with Ben Ainsile's America's Cup team amid their split.

Mercedes enters the new F1 season without Lewis Hamilton for the first time since 2012, fielding George Russell in his seventh season and rookie Kimi Antonelli.