Norbert Haug has revealed that Mercedes had discussed buying McLaren when they were looking to become a works team in Formula 1 in 2010.

The two companies had been long-time partners at that point with Mercedes supplying the F1 team with engines, but a deal could not be struck and the opportunity presented itself to take over Brawn GP after the team won the 2009 World Championship with Jenson Button.

After Brawn took on the departing Honda works team ahead of the 2009 season, former Mercedes motorsport vice-president Haug said that the privateer team would eventually need more support – which is where the Silver Arrows came into play.