Will the 2009 World Championship-winning Brawn GP team be renamed to feature the word 'Mercedes' ahead of the 2010 season.
Germany's authoritative Auto Motor und Sport insists the Brackley based outfit's rumored buy-in by the German marquee is definitely taking place, which will result in the cars bearing a silver livery.
But whether the name can be changed to officially include Mercedes depends on the agreement of McLaren, the Stuttgart-based luxury car maker's exclusive F1 partner.
McLaren has already vetoed Red Bull's desired use of Mercedes engines for 2010, but prior to the 2009 season Martin Whitmarsh approved a two-year supply deal for Brawn.
Auto Motor und Sport claims that "error" could cost Whitmarsh his job as team boss, with Ron Dennis linked with a return to the pit wall after appearing at the Abu Dhabi finale earlier this month.
Brawn and Mercedes are hoping to announce the details of their intensified collaboration within the coming days, the magazine said.
"We are looking at all opportunities for the future but it is too early to announce anything yet," Ross Brawn told PA Sport.
The 60th anniversary of the Formula 1 World Championship Series began on Sunday afternoon at the 3.914-mile, 23-turn Bahrain International Circuit
Michael Schumacher, in his first official qualifying session since he retired from Formula 1 in 2006, stopped the clocks two positions adrift of Mercedes stable mate
