Norbert Haug has said Mercedes’ technical centre in Stuttgart will be sourced more in the development and supply of engines to McLaren.

Mercedes-Benz’s British partner Ilmor has been chiefly responsible for the project including design, construction and testing at its Brixworth plant since 1995 but chiefs believe there is a need to share the load and help the project by doing some bench testing and other work in Germany.

Haug also confirmed that the experienced Swiss Mario Illien would remain as the Technical Chief of the effort amid claims that he had stood down.

‘Mario Illien is the technical director heading the whole programme but we will certainly use our technical resources in Stuttgart more. The two facilities work together as a team and that is the whole story.’

Haug dismissed suggestions that sharing the effort between two premises in different countries would cause problems.

‘We have two different places but it is one entity and it's as closely connected as it can be,’ he countered.

‘The Stuttgart people go to Brixworth and vice-versa.’