Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS quit Formula One? Mercedes respond to reports of Man Utd co-owners selling stake in team

A Mercedes spokesperson has claimed the ongoing investment and sponsorship deal is stable, after a report in The Telegraph that the Manchester United minority owner could be relieved of his shares. INEOS' sponsorship of Mercedes cars may be less prominent during the 2025 season, however.

INEOS' sponsorship was reportedly in jeopardy as the company face the prospect of cutbacks across their sporting portfolio. They face legal action from New Zealand Rugby after being accused of failing to pay the first instalment of their 2025 sponsorship fee, while their split from Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team is now also the subject of legal proceedings. There is also unrest at United amid redundancies and rising ticket prices.

A Mercedes spokesperson told Sky Sports News: "There is no truth in the story. There have been no discussions at any point of a shareholder change and sponsorship with INEOS is ongoing and stable."

The same Telegraph report suggested that the tightening of the financial purse strings is likely to continue at INEOS. Two leading credit ratings agencies recently raised red flags over the group, suggesting that the business had racked up debts five or six times larger than their annual earnings.