Mercedes Motorsport boss Norbert Haug has admitted that his company is hoping to supply as many as four teams in next year's World Championship.

Mercedes, which owns a sizeable stake in McLaren, last year agreed a deal to supply Force India. However, when the former Honda F1 Team sought a deal with the German manufacturer it had to seek the permission of the other teams since the rules dictate that no engine manufacturer can supply more than two teams.

For 2010 this rule has been changed, courtesy of the World Motor Sport Council, with engine manufacturers now able to supply as many as four teams.

With speculation linking the German manufacturer to Red Bull next season, Haug, while refusing to name names, has admitted that Mercedes powerplants - which are built in Britain - could be seen in as many as eight cars next year.

"We can get some refinancing from supplying three other teams and this is the current plan so we are in negotiations," he told reporters at the Nurburgring. "We could have three customer teams, that's the plan.

"I cannot mention any team names," he continued. "But the positive thing is that we get quite a few requests, our engine is seen to be a strong one, probably the best one."

Thus far this season, Mercedes engines have powered Jenson button's Brawn to six wins.

The three new teams due to enter F1 next season, USF1, Manor and Campos, are all due to use Cosworth engines.