Mercedes are reportedly considering a partial withdrawal from F1 that would see them involved in a "semi-official" team from 2014.

According to French weekly Auto Hebdo in recent months the powers-that-be at the German car manufacturer have been asking themselves the question "how to get rid of a costly team with disappointing results while still enjoying its benefits?"

Unhappy with Bernie Ecclestone's decision not to give them a seat on the board when or if Formula One is floated on the Singapore stock exchange, it is believed that Mercedes have not signed the new Concorde Agreement thereby refusing to commit to Formula One long-term.

Added to that, a report emerged in June in a German business paper, Handelsblatt, claiming that Mercedes could quit over the Gerhard Gribkowsky bribery scandal.

The company was quick to deny the rumours with a spokesman saying: "Our Formula 1 commitment is for the long term and an integral component of our company philosophy."

The reports of their departure, though, have refused to die down with Auto Hebdo stating that Mercedes are set to change their level of participation in F1 at the end of next season.

Instead of having the Mercedes AMG team and focusing on their ownership of it, the revised team will be known as AMG F1.

According to Global Motorsport Media, the team will "be run by team boss Ross Brawn" while seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher will stay on as a driver.

Mercedes will continue to provide engines to customers.