Breaking news

Formula 1

Haug denies Lauda pushed for F1 axe

The F1 world reacted to Norbert Haug's departure from Mercedes, and many believed Niki Lauda was behind the German leaving.

GMM

Edited: Dec 14, 2012, 8:32 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Norbert Haug, Mercedes Sporting Director, and Niki Lauda,

Dec.14 (GMM) Norbert Haug has denied Niki Lauda played a decisive role in his departure as Mercedes' motor sport boss.

When it was announced on Thursday that, after 22 years, 60-year-old Haug will not be with the German marque in 2013, some sensed the hand of Mercedes' new non-executive chairman, triple world champion and Austrian great Lauda.

"I want to state strongly that this was a decision that the board and I reached by consensus. Niki had absolutely nothing to do with it.

I was just as surprised as anyone about Norbert.

Niki Lauda

"We have respected each other over the years, and this changes nothing," Haug told the news agency SID.

He hinted that Mercedes' failure to properly succeed since forming its works team in 2010 was a reason for the split.

"We have had success in the past three years, but not enough consistently," said Haug.

Niki Lauda told German television Sky: "I was just as surprised as anyone about Norbert.

"For me personally, I'm sorry about it. I have always had a very good relationship with him and would have very much liked to have continued to work with him."

Michael Schumacher, who is returning to retirement in 2013 after three seasons with Mercedes, also sounded disappointed with the decision.

Ralf Schumacher, Norbert Haug and Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP

Photo by: xpb.cc

"This step represents a major turning point," the seven time world champion said on his website.

"His departure will tear a big gap in both our sport and our team."

German motor racing federation president Hans-Joachim Stuck is quoted by Speed Week: "Norbert has also had some health problems, perhaps that played a role."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Haug will continue to create magic wherever he lands

Next article Button warns Rosberg to fear Hamilton's speed

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

Formula 1

Mexican GP

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

Chandler Smith wins Martinsville as NASCAR Truck title fight tightens

NASCAR Truck

NSTR NASCAR Truck

Martinsville

52 min

Chandler Smith wins Martinsville as NASCAR Truck title fight tightens

F1 Mexico GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

F1 Mexico GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch

Max Verstappen slams Liam Lawson for FP2 clash at F1 Mexico GP

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

Max Verstappen slams Liam Lawson for FP2 clash at F1 Mexico GP

Feature

Discover prime content

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

Formula 1

Mexican GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Mexico GP

What’s the state of play at F1’s smallest team?

Formula 1

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What’s the state of play at F1’s smallest team?

Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

Formula 1

By Ronald Vording

Is history really repeating itself? What Christian Horner’s Adrian Newey claim says about Aston Martin and Red Bull

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts