Mercedes has appointed Markus Schafer as Niki Lauda’s permanent replacement as non-executive chairman, following the Austrian’s death in May.
The three-time Formula 1 champion passed away after a battle with illness and had been serving in the role since 2012, alongside motorsport chief Toto Wolff and previously Paddy Lowe.
It was Lauda who was considered vital to attracting Lewis Hamilton from McLaren for 2013 and his passing was seen as a blow to the structure at Mercedes.
As for Schafer, he is the current head of group research at Daimler and car development at Mercedes-Benz and has also sat as a non-executive director since March.
His change is one of several within the company with Frank Markus Weber also joining as a non-executive director on a five-person board with Wolff, Britta Seeger and Rene Berger completing the quintet.
“The commitment of our parent company has been fundamental to the team’s success and will continue to be so in the years ahead,” Wolff commented.
“This support for Formula 1 has always been reflected in our team’s board, with strong representation from Daimler’s senior leadership, and it continues through the appointments of Markus and Frank Markus for the years ahead.
“Formula 1 is a powerful technology and marketing platform for Mercedes-Benz globally, and a valuable shop window for the company’s values and its competitiveness.”
