Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been impressed by Ferrari's "very visionary" link-up with Sauber and is considering implementing something similar for the world champions.
Ferrari's partnership with Sauber for 2018 will see the team officially badged as 'Alfa-Romeo [part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group] Sauber'. The deal also saw Ferrari juniors Charles Leclerc and Antonio Giovinazzi handed a race seat and reserve role respectively.
The Italian team also enjoys a close technical partnership with Haas which caused controversy during the American team's debut season in 2016. Wolff is wary of how the latest deal could strengthen Ferrari.