Amid the global financial crisis, Mercedes Motorsport cannot guarantee its involvement in Formula 1 in the long term.

According to the vice president of Norbert Haug the German manufacturer is going through a difficult time – just as all carmakers are.

Mercedes have reportedly losing $1 billion per month.

Mercedes are a major shareholder in and supplier of engines to the McLaren team, who have received more bad publicity recently following the controversial events of the Australian Grand Prix.

Haug has admitted that the negative news surrounding the British team has worried Mercedes, as well as the financial climate.

"It is a difficult time for all of us, the whole industry, that's for sure," he told GPWeek.

"Victories would be better than having a discussion like these, but what I want to point out is that we have had some very positive influence. Monitoring what we get back worldwide, we are the team with the most international television presence and so on. There have been lots of positives.

"But we are clearly unhappy with the situation, as it is right now. Where we can help from a Mercedes side is to describe it all in openness. I think our team tries to be as open and accesible as possible. Yes, this is not a positive, but on the balance we have had a lot of positives for the money we are investing."

However, Haug admitted, "if you're asking me 'are we hear for the next 10 years?' then everybody who is honest, and I am honest, cannot give you an answer about how the world, the car industry, the economical surroundings will develop.

"I hope it changes. It's not easy for anybody but I hope it changes."

Along with McLaren, the Force India and Brawn GP cars are also powered by Mercedes engines, and the latter is currently the dominant team on the grid, providing the German company with some excellent advertising.