Norbert Haug and Mercedes, it's over

Is Norbert Haug paying for the team’s disappointing results? Mercedes en F1 ? After three seasons spent at the top of the car, the Silver Arrows struggled to shine on the board. The German team had a difficult 2012 season. After a good start with a victory for Nico Rosberg in Shanghai, the results collapsed as the season progressed. Michael Schumacher had to leave the stage being thanked by his team. With the Red Baron gone, it is the turn of his ex-boss Norbert Haug to pack his bags after having held the sporting directorship of Mercedes for no less than 22 years.

After having represented the Stuttgart manufacturer since the beginning of the 1990s in all kinds of sporting competitions, Norbert Haug therefore sees his career with the German manufacturer end with F1. The sporting director is also the first to recognize the lack of success of the Silver Arrows. “I would like to thank the best manufacturer in the world for these 22 years which have never been lived by me without being driven by passion”, comments Norbert Haug. “I would particularly like to thank the board of directors for the trust and freedom that was given to me. We have had superb successes and splendid victories since 1991 for which I must thank my colleagues. Unfortunately, we have only had one success since our return to F1 in 2010, which did not correspond to our objectives. However, we have made good progress towards success in the future. Our team and our drivers will do everything to achieve the desired objectives. »

Mercedes obviously praised Norbert Haug for his two decades of service. “For me, he left his mark on an entire generation and was responsible for the successful return of the Silver Arrows to F1,” adds Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG. “On behalf of the board of directors and the entire sports family, I would like to thank Norbert for his exceptional commitment to the Three-Pointed Star. »