Norbert Haug retires!

Norbert Haug, the iconic Director of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, will retire at the end of 2012 after 22 years of dedicated service to the star-branded company.

This announcement is a little surprise in the world of Formula 1, as nothing suggested that Norbert Haug would make such a decision. At the age of 60, the German has decided to step down and wishes to thank the company for which he dedicated himself entirely: « I would like to thank the best car manufacturer in the world, for the more than 22 years spent together, which have never lacked passion. I particularly want to thank the board of directors for the trust and freedom they have always given me in all my activities. Since 1991, we have achieved enormous accomplishments and victories, for which I would like to thank all my colleagues. Unfortunately, with only one victory in 2012 since the creation of our own Formula 1 team in 2010, we have not been able to meet our own expectations. However, we have taken the right steps to succeed in the future. Our team and our drivers will do everything to achieve these goals. »

For his part, the CEO of Daimler and owner of Mercedes, Dieter Zetsche, pays a heartfelt tribute to Haug’s investment over these 22 years: « Norbert Haug has been the face of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport program for more than 20 years. He has left his mark on an entire era and, naturally, he was responsible for the arrival of the Silver Arrows in Formula 1. On behalf of the management board and the entire motorsport family, I would like to thank Norbert for his extraordinary commitment to Mercedes. »