Mercedes Shows Off Plans for Silicon Valley-Style F1 Campus

• Mercedes has operated out of its current facility at Brackley, near British Grand Prix venue Silverstone, since the site opened in 1998.
• Mercedes’ new plans come at a time where some Formula 1 teams have been investing in infrastructure.
• “We want it to become its own little village, with all the amenities and benefits that you would expect from a Silicon Valley style environment,” says team principal Toto Wolff.

Mercedes has presented plans to redevelop its Formula 1 campus at an estimated cost of about $85 million.

Mercedes has operated out of its current facility at Brackley, near British Grand Prix venue Silverstone, since the site opened in 1998. It was used by British American Racing, Honda and Brawn GP before Mercedes acquired the team prior to 2010.

Mercedes has been upgrading its facilities since 2017, with various departments relocated, including the race bays, machine shop and subassembly workshop.

The team, which completed outright purchase of the campus in 2022, has now purchased adjoining land parcels to facilitate further expansion. The new developments will include a Health and Well-Being Center and a new marketing building, which will allow Mercedes to further expand its design office.

There are also plans for a new parking facility, which will feature solar panels and charging points for electric vehicles, and which will be part-shared with Brackley’s local soccer team.

Amended vehicle flows will also allow the majority of the site to be pedestrianized.

“Our campus was originally built to accommodate 350 people,” said team principal & CEO Toto Wolff. “Today, we are at 1250. 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.

Mercedes anticipates spending upward of $85 million in its new campus.

“This is all being done for our people. Here, form follows function⁠—not the other way round. It’s all being done to create a great place to work and spend time.

“We want it to become its own little village, with all the amenities and benefits that you would expect from a Silicon Valley style environment.”

Mercedes’ new plans come at a time where some Formula 1 teams have been investing in infrastructure.

Aston Martin is set to move into its new factory at the end of this month while its windtunnel is currently under construction amid a mooted 2024 opening date.

McLaren’s new wind tunnel is due to be operational next month, while Alpine confirmed earlier in May that it has given the green light for a new simulator to be ready for 2025.