F1 engine makers announce job losses
One in 10 workers at the company which makes the engines used in the cars driven by Formula 1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are being made redundant.
Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines, in Brixworth, which makes the engines in the cars of Formula 1 teams Brawn GP and McLaren-Mercedes, confirmed "approximately 50" jobs were being lost by the company, which employs about 500 staff.
It is the latest blow to motorsport in Northamptonshire, following a decision to make a third of the workforce redundant at Brawn GP and the announcement this year's Silverstone Grand Prix will be the last.
Brawn GP, based in Brackley, currently hold the top two positions in the F1 drivers' championship and Jenson Button, who has a 16 point lead, is the favourite to win the Turkish Grand Prix this weekend.
Director of motorsport communications at Mercedes-Benz, Walter Schattling, said the job losses were due to recent changes in the rules of the sport, which have also affected Brackley-based Brawn GP.
He said: "Formula 1 rule changes force us to do so because there is reduction in engine developing and production activity.
"Unfortunately, it is part of the restructuring process at Mercedes-Benz which we're forced to do by regulations. It is an unfortunate consequence.
"Nonetheless, we will continue to manufacture high class engines such as those with which we are leading the championship."
Controversy has surrounded changes to the sports' rules, which will see teams encouraged to operate within a 40 million budget cap from next year. Teams who do will be able to use engines not subject to a rev limit.
Chris Over (Con, Abbey South), portfolio holder for economics, regeneration and employment at Daventry District Council, said the redundancies were bad news for the high-tech economy in the district.
He said: "This is a serious blow to the district, its high-tech economy and its relationship with F1. We have a cluster of businesses in Northamptonshire which are at the leading edge. It affects not only those who are involved in the business but their families. This is really very bad news and one must commiserate with family and individuals affected."
He said the council was working with Northamptonshire Enterprise to attract business to the area.
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