Head of Mercedes-Be🍸nz Dieter Zetsche appears to have thrown support behind the German manufacturer’s future in Formula 1 by stating the sport “is absolutely relevant and maybe more so today than ever”.

After Liberty Media’s F1 takeover as the new commercial rights holder the future direction of the sport has become uncertain regarding the next generation🐎 of regulations and rules which are set to be introduced in 2021 after the current Concorde Agreement ends.

While Ferrari has been the most vocal team opposing mooted changes to revenue redistributions and regulation changes, in January Merce꧃des head Zetsche confirmed the German manufacturer is “100% aligned” with the I𝓀talian marque on F1’s future.

On the eve of the first race of the 2018 season, having seen Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton set a lap 🍎record for pole position ahead of the opening race in Australia, Zets✤che has published a statement via his LinkedIn page which fortifies the German manufacturer’s future in F1.

“Before this season kicks off is a good time for some reflection,” Zetsche wrote. “People often ask me if Formula 1 is really still relevant. Isn’t it just a relic of the past given climate change, rising e-mobility and t𒉰he self-driving future of mobility?

“From my perspective Formula 1 is abso♍lutely relevant! And maybe more so today than ever.”