Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team 2013

[Richard]

Interesting that a Google translation of Lauda's description of Haug's words at the board meeting included the phrase "mutatis mutandis", ie change only what is necessary.

That made it sound as if Haug was saying most of the right ingredients are in place, they just need a subtle tweak to achieve success. Since this was in the context of his resignation one could infer that he was falling on his sword, as if he saw himself as the only blockage for success?

Alternatively ... Google translation is hardly a reliable source for such linguistic nuances, and perhaps Lauda was also subjective in his words.

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 53950.html

[munudeges]

I think they have addressed that problem with the new appointments. expectably there should be an improvement in results.

Alas, the main appointment they made, Geoff Willis, has been at the team before and just as things looked as if they were moving forwards they very quickly went back.

For whatever reason the team has just been way too political no matter who was employed and being a part of Mercedes just appears to have exacerbated the problem.

[marcush.]

Interesting that a Google translation of Lauda's description of Haug's words at the board meeting included the phrase "mutatis mutandis", ie change only what is necessary.

That made it sound as if Haug was saying most of the right ingredients are in place, they just need a subtle tweak to achieve success. Since this was in the context of his resignation one could infer that he was falling on his sword, as if he saw himself as the only blockage for success?

Alternatively ... Google translation is hardly a reliable source for such linguistic nuances, and perhaps Lauda was also subjective in his words.

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 53950.html

Lauda said Haug took responsibility for MGPs failure to deliver this year and in consquence resigned from his role .Lauda also said he was impreessed by this attitude .
More :Lauda cannot fil in as he is non exec. and no idea is around who could possibly take over -so we will see interims solutions and possibly a split of haugs role in two or more persons.

[SaveMeHollywood]

In other news, an Ex-Mercedes driver distinguished himself very well at the Race of Champions 2012:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdE9CdyIL8Y[/youtube]

Not bad for a 43 year old.

You have to wonder if 3 years in F1 sharpened him further. Some of his winning margins looked ridiculous.

[Morteza]

F1 - Haug felt responsible for Mercedes failure - Lauda
"I took my cap off to him"

17 December 2012 - 09h21, by GMM

Norbert Haug fell on his sword due to Mercedes’ failure to succeed in its first three years, Niki Lauda has confirmed.

Following last week’s shock news, many sensed the new non-executive chairman Lauda’s influence when it was announced that Haug is stepping down after 22 years in charge at the German marque.

But the great Austrian insists he was as surprised as anyone.

"On Tuesday I was at the board meeting in Stuttgart for the first time in my new role," Lauda revealed to Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"At the end of the meeting, it was an absolute surprise when Haug gave his resignation.

"I took my cap off to him, because he said essentially he feels responsible for the poor performance this year, and had drawn the appropriate conclusion.

"To be honest, there are very few managers in top positions who do such things. Personally, I’m very sorry about it. I would love to still have worked with him."

Asked if he tried to convince Haug to stay, Lauda insisted: "No. If a person makes such a decision, you have to respect it."

He admitted that Haug’s departure leaves a "huge gap" at Mercedes.

"Mercedes will now consider how the loss will be dealt with. I don’t see anyone at the moment who can take over Norbert’s tasks one by one.

"The situation will have to be evaluated completely."

Asked if he can step in to help fill the void, triple world champion Lauda answered: "No. I am chairman of the board, which has nothing to do with the operation of business."

[FoxHound]

Alas, the main appointment they made, Geoff Willis, has been at the team before and just as things looked as if they were moving forwards they very quickly went back.

For whatever reason the team has just been way too political no matter who was employed and being a part of Mercedes just appears to have exacerbated the problem.

I'm curious about this.

Just wanted to know how Geoff Willis joining on the 17th of October 2011 had any real bearing on the W03 concept?
The die was caste before he arrived in my opinion.

And the political side of the team, could you delve deeper into this?

[dren]

I figured Willis was key in setting up the new wind tunnel.

[Vasconia]

In other news, an Ex-Mercedes driver distinguished himself very well at the Race of Champions 2012:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdE9CdyIL8Y[/youtube]

Not bad for a 43 year old.

You have to wonder if 3 years in F1 sharpened him further. Some of his winning margins looked ridiculous.

Its a pity because yesterday he was beaten by Grosjean in the individual race, which was a surprise for me after having seen MIchael beating the french driver quite easly in the previous races.

Anyway, a great driving from Michael, its a pleasure to see him driving so well, and I have asked myself why he retires. Ahh Vettel and Michael in Rb, just imagine it, it would be tremendous!!

[Vasconia]

About Haugh, its quite logic what he has decided and I respect him for that, he is responsible of the team´s failure in these seasons, MERCEDES AMG needed some changes and not only in the technical staff. If 2013 is another failure Brawn could be in danger too.

[FoxHound]

I figured Willis was key in setting up the new wind tunnel.

My thoughts too.
I don't think he went close to the design team, he was looking at the hardware side and how to improve this.

[MercAMGF1Fans]

I figured Willis was key in setting up the new wind tunnel.

My thoughts too.
I don't think he went close to the design team, he was looking at the hardware side and how to improve this.

I remember in an article that Ross Brawn said Willis was indeed in charge of upgrading the windtunnel and the 60% model

[FoxHound]

I remember in an article that Ross Brawn said Willis was indeed in charge of upgrading the windtunnel and the 60% model

Exactly why his appointment will not have had any direct influence on the W03. Operational methods yes, and they have changed as you rightly point out. The proof of this will come in the next 6 months.

[Mika1]

In Aldo Costa we trust!

[dren]

In Aldo Costa we trust!

Yup, maybe he'll design a car that doesn't eat its tires!

[marcush.]

It´s not like you throw everything away after 2012 and start afresh with new working methods as soon as Hamiltons contract starts.
Bell is in all this long enough to be responsible for W03s concept.
willis and Costa are long enough in all this to be responsible for ANY upgrade we have or have not seen this year.
They all are long enough in the boat to carrry full responsibility for the right or wrong methods MGP ids applying.
You are naive thinking it will all come good after this season...The tide was going down massively ,not up.Tell me one single team which showed a massive downwards trend and bounce back with new car and competitiveness ...oops I know just one :
Lotus 2011-2012....when exactly left Mike Elliott from Lotus?
Seriously ,a sustained upturn of form and capabilities should have beeen already visible towards the end of the year bt in my biased perception it looked like MGP was completely stuck with ideas and direction come season finals when everybody else seemed to come alive.