Mercedes has refused to confirm or deny reports that its team principal Ross Brawn will leave the outfit at the end of the year.

Brawn's future has been the subject of speculation since the start of the campaign, with the outfit openly admitting that it was making plans for a long-term handover to Paddy Lowe.

A BBC report claims that Brawn has lost patience with the team finalising that plan and will now leave the outfit.

The key decision to be made was when that handover would take place - and whether or not Brawn would remain in another management role within the Mercedes corporation.

With the end of the current campaign looming, talks have intensified in recent weeks to sort the situation, and Brawn has made it clear several times that he will only remain if he maintains his strong influence.

Mercedes refused to elaborate on the situation, with a team spokesman issuing a firm 'no comment.'