JANUARY 14, 2024

Brackley expansion gets green light

Mercedes’ plans to expand its Formula 1 factory in Brackley were finally approved by the local council.

This paves the way for the construction work to start as soon as possible, expanding the facilities used by the German team in what Toto Wolff sees as an important step to bring his team up to the level Aston Martin has raised to and that Red Bull is soon achieving as well, with the expansion of its own facilities in Milton Keynes.

As it’s normal in this kind of situations, there was quite a bit of local business opposition to the plan, with two major ones attending the deciding meeting of the West Northamptonshire Council to explain why they were not happy with a project that will have a direct impact on the amount of traffic that will affect their areas of business, especially at rush hour.

Representing the German team in the hearing, Development Manager for Mercedes-AMG F1, Ian Smith, told the meeting that the company had looked at different options on access routes, but the chosen one was the most efficient for all. He then added that, “our current site does not meet the future ambitions of the company moving forward. We need to make significant investment in our site and create a world-class campus which ensures that we not only attract the highest calibre of staff but also attract and retain sponsors."

While the vote was favorable to Mercedes’ plans, the German team will still have to fulfil two conditions imposed by the council, relating to the construction methods plan and the car park management plan, before the formal approval to the factory expansion is granted and the construction work can finally start.

The expansion plan was announced by Mercedes in May of 2023 and will involve an investment of 70 millon pounds. In a statement issued back then, Mercedes explained that, “the team’s Net Zero targets sit at the heart of the plans, with power to come from 100% renewable energy via onsite and offsite sources, while a new, relocated car park – which will make the campus a pedestrian zone – is set to incorporate a full solar array.”

It was also stated that, the upgraded facilities will also be more efficient in how they are used, with the team aiming for a 50% reduction in water consumption per person per day and to achieve greater than 60% recycling of office waste.

At the time, Toto Wolff explained that, ““our campus was originally built to accommodate 350 people. Today, we are at 1,250.

The development of the campus over the last five years was done at an astonishing pace. Now, what we are planning to do is to expand with multiple new buildings and creating a modern style campus. There will be breakout areas, restaurants, and a state-of-the-art gym and marketing building.”