Mercedes F1 non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has scrapped rumors of that Mercedes' potential involvement in Formula E could lead to a pull-out from F1.
The burgeoning all-electric international series has attracted interest and involvement from several manufacturers, and Mercedes holds an option to enter FE in season five.
According to the option agreement, Mercedes may choose to be one of the maximum of 12 entries to be proposed by the championship promoter to the FIA to enter from the 2018/19 season.
As F1 starts the process of planning for the new engine rules beyond 2020, the German manufacturer's interest in FE is fueling rumors that it could jump ship.
But Lauda denied the silly stories.
"We did it for strategic reasons," he said, justifying Mercedes' association with Formula E.
"But we will continue to be in Formula 1. It (Formula E) is not under discussion for us as an alternative to F1," he added.
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