Norbert Haug dismisses speculations stating Niki Lauda pushed him to leave Mercedes – Formula 1 news
Norbert Haug has dismissed all the ongoing speculations which are stating that Former Formula 1 driver and the non-executive chairman of Mercedes, Niki Lauda has pushed him to step down from the position of motorsport boss.
Haug had been the head of Mercedes motorsport for more than 22 years and played an important role in the return of the Silver Arrows to F1 as a constructor back in 2010.
There have been many rumours that Lauda has pushed the German to leave the Brackley based squad as he wanted his post. However, Haug has completely discharged all the ongoing reports and has asserted that the three-time world champion has nothing to do with
his departure and he has planned to leave the team after the decision made by the board.
Furthermore, he said that they have a lot of respect for each other. He also said that he has left the team because they have not been able to achieve much in the last three years.
“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. We have respected each other over the years, and this changes nothing,” Haug told
SID.
“We have had success in the past three years, but not enough consistently,” he said.
On the other hand, Lauda said that he has always enjoyed a very good relationship with Haug and would have loved to work with him for few more years.
“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,” Lauda said.
Additionally, the seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher also expressed disappointment over the departure of the 60-year-old and has called it a great loss for the team and the sport.
“His departure will tear a big gap in both our sport and our team,” Schumacher said.
Besides, German motor racing federation president, Hans-Joachim Stuck said that according to him, Haug has left because he is facing some heath issues.
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