Jobs set to go at F1 engine maker

Formula One rule changes are being blamed for about 50 job losses at a high performance engine manufacturer in Northamptonshire.

The jobs are to go at the Mercedes-Benz site in Brixworth.

From this season the sport's governing body the FIA said drivers must now use the same engine for three, rather than two, consecutive events.

A spokesperson for the company said the rule change had lead to a reduction in engine development and production.

Director of communications at the company, Wolfgang Schattling , said: "These are unfortunate but necessary changes to re-size business to adapt to current environment.

"The redundancies are part of the restructuring process at Mercedes-Benz HPE. We will continue to design and manufacture extremely competitive and reliable Formula One engines."