This is quite awkward post tonight because, there's so many stories and so many views on one point. To be entirely honest I'm not really sure what to make of it. So I'm going post each story, splitting the blog into bits and hopefully I'll develop a view along the way. It could either turn out to be a terrific blog or a complete dive so here goes.
Haug leaves Mercedes
After 22 years in Formula 1, German Motorsport journalist and businessman Norbert Haug is to step down from his post from Mercedes a company of great racing pedigree. In fact if you take away Formula 1 from the equation just to set Ferrari aside, the greatest manufacturing company in the world.
He was at the centre of reintroducing Mercedes to Formula 1 in 1992 when he and Peter Sauber negotiated an engine deal. After that he essentially re-branded the McLaren name as we all know today, titling it McLaren Mercedes.
There is no doubt about it, this man is Motorsport in his brain! Aside from Formula 1, he basically created the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) which if you're not as fluent in German as I am (cough, cough) is the German touring car championship. This 60 year old is way cooler than just a suit and a tie, he races in the Porsche Carrera Cup, tested an F1 car and; he came SECOND in the 24 Hours Nurburgring in 1985. Sufficed to say this man doesn't just sit on his arse.
But it's not all a love story. In 2010 his dream was complete of having a Mercedes F1 Team. However unfortunately due to whatever reason, even under the direction of Ross Brawn and with the driving brilliance of Michael Schumacher the team only managed one victory in three seasons (and that came from Schumachers supposed protege Nico Rosberg).
Schumacher's Opinion
It's also no secret that Haug was the one who pushed for Schumacher to become a part of the new team and Formula 1 again. They look like brothers in arms when they're together. They happen to be quite good friends outside the sport. It's no surprise Schumacher would be disappoitned and so outspoken about his departure. But this next article is the inspiration for the blog.
Haug's Reason
Bad results Norman. Sure. His dream turned out to be a bit of a damp squib of course. Although Schumacher is God and his stint at Mercedes is no way a bad mark on his status, it's hard to deny that one misfiring cylinder was always going to hurt the teams points tally. And one podium in three years for God is not good enough.
Mutual consent in Formula 1 is the same as every sport. It means jump before you're pushed. I think it's just too much to be a coincidence that the moment Lewis Hamilton replaces Haug's man, he's gone at the end of the season. And Hamilton's purchase was always branded as a Brawn move. I'm not saying he's gone because of Schumacher's retirement, maybe the company decided he's had enough. Whatever the reason, I hope it's not because of Niki Lauda joining the board because despite his driving acomplishments, I'd hate to see him directing Mercedes, they will almost certain focus the majority of their energy in Formula 1 and that will be devastating for Motorsport in general.
At the end of the day he was chief boss at Mercedes. So I guess this won't impact on track, but I just dread to think that a Motorsport lover will be replaced with somebody with money in their eyes. Although this could maybe even benefit the team. After tasting victory and with Hamilton in his prime, he could upset a lot of the odds next season, maybe within two a world championship could be on the cards! You heard it here first!
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