Mercedes plans expansion of Brackley F1 base

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Mercedes will soon embark on an expansion of the Brackley base of its F1 team after the company was granted building permission from the South Northamptonshire Council.

The manufacturer received the green light from Chairman Councillor Rebecca Breese for the planned transformations to go ahead, with work centered around expanding the Brackley factory's main reception area and its wind tunnel infrastructure.

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Brackley houses the team's chassis design center and its operational activities while its engine department is located about 25 miles away at its cutting-edge Brixworth facility.

The Brackley factory site was initially established by British American Racing in 1999, and many of the 700 current staff members have worked there since that time.

The team became Honda Racing in 2006, then Brawn GP for the 2009 season through a buyout led by Ross Brawn before becoming Mercedes GP for the 2010 season.

In 2011 Brawn left the team and it was substantially reorganized under ownership of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

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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.