Norbert Haug On Bringing Mercedes Back Into F1 | Beyond The Grid | Official F1 Podcast

This week’s guest, Norbert Haug, held one of the most influential jobs in motorsport for more than 20 years. As the boss of Mercedes-Benz motorsport, he oversaw all of the company’s racing activities - indeed it was him who decided to return the Silver Arrows to F1 as an engine supplier in 1993. Once back, Mercedes enjoyed great success in partnership with McLaren - and Haug has great anecdotes to tell about Mika Hakkinen, David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. He also opens up on his role in Michael Schumacher’s career, and Mercedes’ decision to buy Brawn GP at the end of 2009, setting them on the path to their recent glory as a fully-fledged works team…
Topics in this episode:
0:00 - Norbert Haug’s F1 story is one of incredible drivers, big deals and championship fights
4:54 - The ‘brave decision’ to bring a Mercedes team back to Formula 1 in 2010
11:10 - How Mercedes went from a sticker on an F1 car to McLaren’s engine-supplier
17:45 - Norbert picks the fastest drivers to race for McLaren
22:09 - Raikkonen’s raw speed, radio outbursts and 2005 regrets
27:46 - How Norbert and Mercedes supported a young Lewis Hamilton
31:30 - 2007: Hamilton v Alonso and McLaren ‘under siege’
36:47 - ‘We are not cheaters’: how Norbert handled ‘Spygate’
44:15 - Norbert’s Nürburgring podium, rallying with Rosberg and Williams F1 drive
50:53 - How Michael Schumacher almost raced for McLaren
1:00:14 - Norbert’s best F1 memories
1:03:15 - Your suggestions for TC’s Red Bull championship forfeit
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[@leifcron8054]

Dear F1 - could you please reach out to the Daughter of Paul Rosche - the builder of the 1400hp BMW engine and the v10 engine? Susanne has a lot to tell, as well funny stories and deep insights!

[@xvcor.]

Norbert Haug? **takes a long drag of a cigar** I haven’t heard that name in ages

[@DaveMcIroy]

Did they have Mario Illien?

[@ericbishoff4812]

I'm not sure if this has been done or not (searched but couldn't fine it). But an interview with Ron Dennis would be dynamite! and go on for hours.

[@MrTrick.]

Haug is a lad, I remember years ago one of Mika's V10s exploding and he said it was an electrical issue!

[@plovy5115]

It's not a crazy statement, in 2005 a lot of the engine statements were caused by McLaren's placement of the engine rather the engine itself according to Wurz.

[@blacktoothfox677]

@@plovy5115 wouldnt be anything to do with Mika then...

[@User-nu6km]

@@plovy5115 you mean newey

[@emilyhaigh1244]

You read Elliot Haigh’s comment and that’s my brother! Thanks so much! He loves F1 and it’s one great way he connects with people, overcoming his mild autism. He was so happy you read his comment and would love to met Christian for his 23rd birthday!

[@ciaronsmith4995]

This man is a legend. Had a great eye for talent, smart manager and great character.

[@TrueMexico]

Norbert Haug . Yes, F1 always has its favourite powerbrokers in the sport it likes to do close ups of during a race. That's how I remember him. This clearly powerful F1 figure who we didn't know that much about, but we'd get full on close-ups of him during a race - with Mika & Coulthard in one and two positions with a few laps to go. Silver jacket, and WEST, come visually to mind. I was so happy to listen to this interview. Great character. Whenever he's in the paddock he must walk around like one of the F1 Don's. Respect everywhere he walks.

[@BrendanP]

Now that's a name associated with an era of F1 already long ago. Eagerly looking forward to listen to Norbert Haug!

[@andrewsher9360]

43:51 that's an interesting irony: Markus Duesmann, who was the designer of BMW F1 engines, works for HPP

[@mikameyers4170]

hello, F1!

[@donut_3370]

Whats pappin

[@FloydsHighHeels]

Michael Schumacher is a big reason behind Lewis Hamilton’s success, some people forget that in the ‘GOAT’ debate

[@roddurmookherjee673]

Lewis Hamilton drove the car to 6 world titles, and ultimately that's all that matters.

[@itgamingke]

Different eras different "GOATS"

[@timobolka1]

@@roddurmookherjee673 drove the by far most dominant cars in the history of F1 to 6 world titles.* there FTFY

[@FloydsHighHeels]

@@roddurmookherjee673 So we just ignore all the help he got especially from the man his fanboys say he’s better than, the disrespect

[@vzdevekniga88]

@@roddurmookherjee673 yes he did, but then again any other driver on the grid would do the same so no nothing special about LH but for his MSM and marketing support. All his records and achivements are nonthing compatred to all the other true masters of F1.

[@ChristopheMeesters]

A personality. Great memories from the time and especially DTM.

[@kaeiwood3D]

Such a nice and humble man, miss him in F1

[@mlbpgaming7713]

Fascinating

[@bazil83]

36:44 quite possibly the most German way of saying the phrase "if you can't take the heat, get out the kitchen" 🤣😂🤣

[@LurcherVonPapsmear]

Norbert Haug?! Fantastic - I'll enjoy this one! BTW, can you interview Nigel Stepney next?

[@futbolista24]

In the event this isn't just a joke suggestion for an interviewee: Stepney already passed on quite some time ago.

[@sadikurrahman4833]

Stepney died mate

[@SirGingerOfKnight]

Unless he's refused to do it... Beyond the Grid has spent 18 months skirting-around everyone that's ever worked with Ron Dennis... Without interviewing Ron Dennis

[@Chopin1995]

Yeah, can't wait to hear Ron Dennis on Beyond The Grid!

[@paulrigter3323]

Please can you do b.t.g with Jan Lammers before the Dutch GP.

[@yashkotak3423]

Bring mercedes to be the best. Bottas: please help me😭

[@shanjosephinelee1075]

Listening to Norbert speak on Micheal shows how special he really is

[@lukasbeer1676]

Formula 1 ist the best sport

[@lewis.n2313]

Cmon Mercedes!

[@tobiast471]

He is the only reason Mercedes are where they are today

[@Ali-qo8xk]

what about niki lauda?

[@andrewsher9360]

@@Ali-qo8xk he came in when toto wolff came to mercedes

[@intheskyhd]

He definitely isn’t the “only” reason, but he has been an integral part of their climb to the top spot.

[@user-ww9pd2rz4e]

@@Ali-qo8xk Nikki Lauda and Toto Wolff inhereited a well built team

[@richboy900]

Andy Cowell and Schumacher

[@robh9577]

37:25 they acted on the Ferrari mole giving kimi's lap number for his pit stop in Australia, they used tire gas info. They used aero, setup, car weight and balance info, in the simulator and had pedro delarosa test it with the test team. That's what the emails Fernando had were, contact with the test driver and the results from the tests!

[@jianh1989]

we know

[@kurtmissnanamankita]

nice

[@Gary_HTX]

Missed that guy.

[@User-nu6km]

BTW, can you interview Max Mosley next?

[@ciaronsmith4995]

21:45: Kimi vs Mika

[@markom7960]

Both , Mika and Kimi, are same level. And both are great Champions-drivers

[@bjarnmartens7074]

We want F1 ratings

[@eduardoluzi3532]

PLEASE try to improve the audio quality of the guest. Thanks.

[@TugaAvenger]

This was over Zoom, not much they could do.

[@DaveMcIroy]

Who is that beardless man in the photo???

[@hamza-chaudhry]

35:25 The media did not like Alonso 36:02

[@offlimits4622]

Mr Mercedes!

[@J.H_77]

Heyy

[@ramanand5187]

He looks like the mix of Toto and Bill Gates

[@rikiro3956]

Bring back grid girls!

[@Hoolitank]

so it is what it is?

[@TheWeekendWarrior490]

I thought that was Bill Gates for a second.

[@tanishqarora9115]

Bill gates is it you?😆

[@lazaruspostlab4815]

I thought it was Bill Gates

[@hanzee9008]

👍👍👍🇲🇾

[@hadefsb]

ngl i thought i saw bill gates in the thumbnail

[@piotrkobielus6156]

F1

[@GlatzeMetzger]

I told you so, Formuala one channel is Mercedes Fansonly

[@alluvialedaempfer962]

Born and raised in Mercedes-Benz region, never liked the company and never liked Haug. The corporate board talk is unbearable. Stiff and bland, granted: The excellence is undeniable.

[@axel0w]

The graveyard

[@NotYourEverydayTrav]

This is the Lewis Hamilton show. He is propped up, this supports that even more than many probably realize.

[@shobhitmittal4273]

Lando push Redbull on the gravel in Austria Meanwhile Hamilton on Radio: For all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too man! I believe in you guys!

[@prada8035]

I thought bill gates had new of hobby

[@philippruest5577]

PAY TV KILLS F1.

[@adammoss1571]

Bill Gates has let himself go

[@aidancox4693]

Lando Norris Is my favourite driver

[@turognlz1447]

He still does not face the error, they let Hamilton denounce the team because Alonso did not give him the extra lap. In another team, Hamilton would have been sanctioned how he deserved and Alonso I would have won title. Haug had a lot to do with that decision. They thought that Alonso was a Yorkshire and he turned out to be a hungry lion .. I don't feel sorry for you, "idiots"

[@lwmotorsport7647]

This man bought Brawn GP!?😠😠

[@andrewsher9360]

Why do u think modern mercedes exists? They brought Brawn GP cos they [ Ross Brawn and Nick Fry ] would not be able to continue on their own without strong financial backing, plus Mercedes had an ambition to return to formula one as a works team, they tried negotiating with McLaren but McLaren rejected them since they wanted to commit to their own business in road cars, and so that left Brawn GP as the only option

[@MT-pv2rf]

Oh would you look at that? Surprise surprise. Norbert Haug, just like Marc Priestley, has confirmed categorically that everything was equal between Hamilton and Alonso. Alonso fans like to create their own little fiction where McLaren brought a 2xWDC to the team just so that they could sabotage him against a rookie but it's just complete and utter tosh. Just like Norbert says here, Alonso couldn't handle the heat in the kitchen. That's why Alonso ran away from being Hamilton's teammate after only one year back to the preferential treatment of Flavio Briatore at Renault. This is Alonso's safe space in teams that only support him and when he didn't get that at McLaren he had a complete meltdown and resorted to blackmail. It also ruined any chances of Alonso ever driving for Mercedes in the future. Everything happens for a reason. The door to Mercedes opened up for Hamilton later in his career because he didn't try to blackmail his team boss when Mercedes supplied engines to McLaren. Alonso blew his chance to win titles with McLaren in 2007/2008 and also blew his chance to win titles with Mercedes in the hybrid era. Its just so tragic. Aw well.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Well it wasn't because Alonso had to switch tyres and team, while Lewis had no reference of the Michelin tyre and was slow on them in testing. In normal circumstances, if the tyre war had not ended, Alonso (and Kimi) would have blown rookie Lewis away. Lewis got lucky with his timing.

[@MT-pv2rf]

Woulda Coulda Shoulda. All ifs, but's and maybes that are based on something that never happened. Michelin were not part of F1 in 2007. Your whole life essentially revolves around obsessing about how Hamilton would have done on a tyre that was not a part of the sport anymore in 2007. Its completely irrelevant.

[@commenttorv5572]

Are you here Holland, M T? Instead of attacking Alonso fans, maybe you should tell how you feel over Max schooling Ham every weekend.

[@commenttorv5572]

@@ciaronsmith4995 this guy is train286 on reddit. look at it, hilarious stuff. The previous corporal13, you'll remember, he's really something.

[@MT-pv2rf]

Next time you send me a DM make sure to include your contact details. I'm gonna F you up.

[@mcab-ir1gr]

Sorry for beeing harsh but his voice ia just to annoying. Couldn't take it more than 10 mins

[@MT-pv2rf]

Schumacher had nothing to do with Mercedes success. 1) The last car he drove was a V8 in 2012. 2) The success came under a completely different set of regulations. The V6 Hybrid era from 2014 onwards, 2 seasons after Schumacher left. 3) Schumacher never ever drove, tested, raced or used the V6 Hybrid cars in any capacity. He relaid zero driver feedback on the cars back to his engineers. It just never happened ever. 4)Schumacher is not a technical expert in any field. He is not an engineer. He had absolutely nothing to do with the design build of the car. 5) When Schumacher actually did race for Mercedes he lost 3-0 to his teammate. How on earth does a guy who gets thrashed by his teammate make a car that comes 2 years after he leaves, under a completely different set or regulations, into a fast car? Absolute bull. 6) Even if you just want to say that Schumacher helped the team with his experience as a world champion they were literally world champions (Brawn) the year before he joined. They then had had their best result since the 2009 title in 2013 when Hamilton joined the team, pre hybrid era. 7) Mercedes are just saying nice things about their ex colleague because he a currently, unfortunately, very ill. Its sad. However, people who aren't blind Schumacher fans know its obviously complete nonsense.

[@f1pro299]

😂😂😂 Lewis Fan boy. Cry please

[@erwinschwing2670]

A very salty fanboy he is :D whatever it is get over it mate. Its eating you up:D