Jordan: 'Mercedes will pull the plug after 2018!'

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Ireland's famous oracle, the colorful Eddie Jordan, has delivered his latest prediction: Mercedes will quit F1 at the end of the 2018 season!

The former team owner and TV pundit actually enjoys a pretty good track record when it comes to forecasting F1 events.

Jordan was asked by Auto Bild if he thought Sebastian Vettel would make the move to Mercedes next season, a question which led to his vision of the future.

"No. He has everything he needs at Ferrari. And also because Mercedes will probably pull the plug at the end of 2018," the Irishman said.

"I think they will go for the titles this and next year and then the board of directors in Stuttgart will decide to sell the team and stay only as an engine maker.

"I would do the same," Jordan added.

"Because Mercedes have won everything and can only get worse from now. So it's better to go back to their old core business in Formula 1, which is developing and delivering high tech engines."

Jordan believes this will be the deciding factor in convincing Vettel to ink a new deal with Ferrari sooner rather than later.

"If Vettel suspects this, it really makes no sense for him to leave Ferrari," he said.

Do you think Mercedes will indeed "pull the plug" at the end of 2018? or is Eddie Jordan just looking for controversy?

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.