New Mercedes-Benz Motorsport boss Toto Wolff is determined to hang onto team principal Ross Brawn.
Speculation is rife that Mercedes are set to lure Paddy Lowe from McLaren while Brawn and chief executive officer Nick Fry are on the way out from the Brackley-based squad.
Wolff, who joined Merc from Williams on Monday, dismissed the reports and says the Brit remains part of the team's plans.
"There is speculation which is coming up in some of the media," he said. "I think I would be aware of that. It's all speculation. Ross is here as part of the leading team and I hope Ross is going to stay."
He added: "I haven't been in Brackley yet. I have had conversations with Ross. I admire what Ross has done but I need to understand the structure and what Ross has done.
"At this stage it would be foolish to come in and speak about replacing anybody."
There has been plenty of activity at Mercedes in recent weeks with not only Wolff joining the team, but also Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda, who was appointed non-executive chairman.
The 41-year-old admits he still has to get used to several things at his new employers.
"I haven't had chance to sit down with them but I hope to do that pretty soon," Wolff said.
"I don't know them particularly well as Nico [Rosberg] left Williams when I joined. Lewis I've known since his Formula Three days but I've had no close contact. But I'm very happy to have them as they seem very motivated."
As for his 10 per cent stake in Williams, Wolff said: "For the moment I'm going to keep those shares. I have a responsibility as a shareholder. I've got a wonderful opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Mercedes to be involved on a daily basis but I can't let everybody else down behind me as shareholders.
"I'm going to look at the situation in the next couple of weeks or months."
