Mercedes F1 secures planning permission for factory extension

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team has received planning permission from South Northamptonshire Council for a factory extension to increase its investment in the sport.

The plan was given the green light by planning committee Chairman Cllr Rebecca Breese for Mercedes to improve its Brackley site with an expansion to its main reception building and wind tunnel building. The proposal follows an initial permission to build a multi-storey car park with the second agreement set to give Mercedes more space inside its factory for existing operations.

“This proposal is a modest addition to their overall floor space, but will give them more storage, flexible workspace and will let them tidy up their bin area,” Breese said. “Mercedes are showing a long-term commitment to Brackley and, if their proposals are right for the district, we will continue to do whatever we can to support them.”

Mercedes reasoned the extension will enable it to meet the demands of running a successful F1 team having won four consecutive F1 world drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

The team moved into Brackley under its current guise when Mercedes gained a minority stake in the Brawn GP team in 2010. The German manufacturer retained its factory which is a short distance away from its Mercedes-Benz F1 engine plant in Brixworth having previously been run under the Ilmor Engineering brand.