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Niki Lauda gets management role at Mercedes


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#51 aditya-now

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 09:15

Lauda? :lol:


:eek:


Lauda?

The man who successfully built two airlines?
The man who started the renaissance of Ferrari in the 1970s?
The man who won three WDCs?
The man who defeated death in 1976?
The man who is still in high demand by sponsors, even 27 years after he finished his active career - as his sponsor caps indicate?

How could Lauda be capable of anything?

:eek:

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#52 OoxLox

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 09:31

Not sure why this is controversial in any way. He helped with the Concorde Agreement negotiations and is being rewarded with a prestigious title and (no doubt) a wad of cash. As mentioned, the non-exec part means he won't be closely involved in the running of the team.

The other plus for Mercedes is that bringing a German-speaking legend of the sport onto the team at the same time as dropping Schumacher could help to soften the blow at home and deflect some attention away from the fact that they've pushed out MSC in favour of LH.

#53 stanga

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 09:34

English can't be the first language of many on here. Clearly 'non-exec' is frequently misunderstood.

#54 KiloWatt

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 13:38

What will his role be anyway?

Useless hire.


Don't know about you, but I don't open my car's hood, point to a component and say "What does that do anyway? Useless component". :p

Edited by KiloWatt, 29 September 2012 - 13:39.


#55 Sakae

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 18:42


http://en.wikipedia....cutive_director


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A non-executive director (NED, also NXD) or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. They are not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way and are differentiated from inside directors, who are members of the board who also serve or previously served as executive managers of the company (most often as corporate officers).

Non-executive directors are sometimes considered the same as an Independent director[1][2], while other sources distinguish them from independent directors saying non-executive directors are allowed to hold shares in the company while independent directors are not.[citation needed]

Non-executive directors have responsibilities in the following areas, according to the Higgs Report, commissioned by the British government published in 2003:[3][4]
Strategy: Non-executive directors should constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy.
Performance: Non-executive directors should scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and monitoring and where necessary removing, senior management and in succession planning.
Risk: Non-executive directors should satisfy themselves that financial information is accurate and that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible.
People: Non-executive directors are responsible for determining appropriate levels of remuneration of executive directors and have a prime role in appointing and where necessary removing, senior management and in succession planning.

NEDs should also provide independent views on:
Resources
Appointments
Standards of conduct

Non-executive directors are the custodians of the governance process. They are not involved in the day-to-day running of business but monitor the executive activity and contribute to the development of strategy...



#56 Szoelloe

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Posted 29 September 2012 - 19:04

Lauda is a legend no doubt. but what does he really have to offer Merc that they do not already have? he is opinionated and seems to relish the politik side of F1. troublemaker.


For the past three years, again and again, I was pondering on the frustrating silence and total lack of PR activity at Mercedes. The team now has been built up again, they are full of top-notch engineering brains, but still no PR whatsoever. Nothing. Dull, uninteresting, unexplained, dry official statements, nothing for their fans, really very 'Mercedes-ish'. Lauda, has a huge mouth, always has something to say, and if he puts that in the service of Mercedes AMG F1, it could be the last piece of the puzzle, especially considering Hamilton's tabloid-like background. So my take on this is yes, there is something he has to offer that so far they did not have. A non-Haug, non-engineer, down-to-earth PR machine?



#57 Peeram

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:03

For the past three years, again and again, I was pondering on the frustrating silence and total lack of PR activity at Mercedes. The team now has been built up again, they are full of top-notch engineering brains, but still no PR whatsoever. Nothing. Dull, uninteresting, unexplained, dry official statements, nothing for their fans, really very 'Mercedes-ish'. Lauda, has a huge mouth, always has something to say, and if he puts that in the service of Mercedes AMG F1, it could be the last piece of the puzzle, especially considering Hamilton's tabloid-like background. So my take on this is yes, there is something he has to offer that so far they did not have. A non-Haug, non-engineer, down-to-earth PR machine?


I doubt that is the only reason what Mercedes are looking for with him. PR machine he surely is, but not in a positive way.
Maybe Haug was too soft man for the job and they need somebody other to supervise the team for Daimler.

WHAT they are looking for is results. They want to shake the team up with the changes.
Even Ross could be replaced if the results aren't what Stuttgart is looking for. Just look how they treated Schumacher.

I'm really not sure what this has to do with Lauda. This man doesn't have that good success in team management or consultation other than
his big mouth. I was fairly suprised that they gave him such a big position.

#58 Szoelloe

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:07

I doubt that is the only reason what Mercedes are looking for with him. PR machine he surely is, but not in a positive way.
Maybe Haug was too soft man for the job and they need somebody other to supervise the team for Daimler.

WHAT they are looking for is results. They want to shake the team up with the changes.
Even Ross could be replaced if the results aren't what Stuttgart is looking for. Just look how they treated Schumacher.

I'm really not sure what this has to do with Lauda. This man doesn't have that good success in team management or consultation other than
his big mouth. I was fairly suprised that they gave him such a big position.


I hardly think his position could be result oriented. Unless he is to be the new TP




#59 aditya-now

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:15

Two articles from bild.de - here are some excerpts, as these articles are in German

Two articles on Lauda's role in recent events


- Schumacher's ousting at Mercedes is Lauda's doing - Niki Lauda, the new strong man at Mercedes

* Ten days ago Zetsche offered Lauda the top job, after having successfully done the Concorde Agreement for Merc
* Closing Hamilton was already Lauda's doing
* In dropping Schumacher he was one of the decision makers.
* Lauda:"I have seen a number of things in Brackley that we have to change"
* Niki will decide on how budgets are used - he has ample experience as a business man



- This is why Mercedes has dropped Schumacher

* Schumacher does not go on his own volition
* He has miscalculated and has been disposed off
* Schumacher did not make any concessions in the contract negotiations concerning length of contract, money as well as closing the contract in time. Then Hamilton came along...Schumacher lost control over his own future
* Lauda, as asked by Zetsche, met with Lewis Hamilton in the 5-star hotel Conrad in Singapore after the race. There he enthused Lewis and gave him the final push to sign. (Lauda himself does not want to confirm this)

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#60 aditya-now

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:23

For the past three years, again and again, I was pondering on the frustrating silence and total lack of PR activity at Mercedes. The team now has been built up again, they are full of top-notch engineering brains, but still no PR whatsoever. Nothing. Dull, uninteresting, unexplained, dry official statements, nothing for their fans, really very 'Mercedes-ish'. Lauda, has a huge mouth, always has something to say, and if he puts that in the service of Mercedes AMG F1, it could be the last piece of the puzzle, especially considering Hamilton's tabloid-like background. So my take on this is yes, there is something he has to offer that so far they did not have. A non-Haug, non-engineer, down-to-earth PR machine?


Very good point.

AMG Mercedes F1 have been as dull as a team as Nico Rosberg is as a driver. Sometimes you don't even notice they are there at all. Now the opposite reality kicks in: Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda are two of the most colorful personalities that F1 has - a huge PR win for Mercedes, just by having those two characters.

Of course, they have to deliver as well and they will - in my opinion. 2013 and even the last weeks of 2012 will see a huge turn around. Already now Lauda has started to have a look at Brackley.


#61 Szoelloe

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:23

Anyone has the feeling Brawn is on his way out?

#62 Timstr11

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:23

I doubt that is the only reason what Mercedes are looking for with him. PR machine he surely is, but not in a positive way.
Maybe Haug was too soft man for the job and they need somebody other to supervise the team for Daimler.

WHAT they are looking for is results. They want to shake the team up with the changes.
Even Ross could be replaced if the results aren't what Stuttgart is looking for. Just look how they treated Schumacher.

I'm really not sure what this has to do with Lauda. This man doesn't have that good success in team management or consultation other than
his big mouth. I was fairly suprised that they gave him such a big position.

It has been said several times: Lauda will not have any day to day management responsibilities. He will be there as a sounding board. Someone looking at things from a distance and to advise and comment where needed, to the Daimler board, M-AMG management or publicly.
A similar role like Helmut Marko's at RBR.
It is no big deal.

Edited by Timstr11, 30 September 2012 - 14:25.


#63 Szoelloe

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:27

It has been said several times: Lauda will not have any day to day management responsibilities. He will be there as a sounding board. Someone looking at things from a distance and to advise and comment where needed, to the Daimler board, M-AMG management or publicly.
A similar role like Helmut Marko's at RBR.
It is no big deal.


aaarghh, not my favorite comparison, but if he takes over some of the load from Brawn's back, so be it.


#64 pinkypants

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:28

Anyone has the feeling Brawn is on his way out?


Just have a bad feeling about this whole endeavour.. :cry:

#65 Timstr11

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:31

Anyone has the feeling Brawn is on his way out?

I believe him when he says he will leave when they have reached their goal. That could be sooner rather than later if you're optimistic.
I don't think he will leave the team now when he is needed the most. He is an excellent people manager I think and he is needed now more than ever.
I'm sure he will see this through.

#66 Szoelloe

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:36

I believe him when he says he will leave when they have reached their goal. That could be sooner rather than later if you're optimistic.
I don't think he will leave the team now when he is needed the most. He is an excellent people manager I think and he is needed now more than ever.
I'm sure he will see this through.


I sure hope so. Giving it some thought, NL's assignment could be more related to Fry than to Brawn.


#67 Timstr11

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:43

I sure hope so. Giving it some thought, NL's assignment could be more related to Fry than to Brawn.

Fry has a business background and is running the administrative and commercial side of the business. He's harmless.

I know there was a period at Honda when Willis had left and the team was in disarray that he was involved in the technical side of the team, but those days are long gone.

#68 DutchCruijff

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:55

Horrible decision, he is way too outspoken and that's not good for someone as seemingly sensitive as Nico. It's all "Lewis is the best", "Lewis will lead the team to victory" etc. etc., not a good morale boost for Rosberg.

#69 Szoelloe

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 14:57

Fry has a business background and is running the administrative and commercial side of the business. He's harmless.

I know there was a period at Honda when Willis had left and the team was in disarray that he was involved in the technical side of the team, but those days are long gone.


Yes, but shouldn't he have been spearheading the CA talks, then? According to the latest news, it was NL who made the breakthrough. Hence my line of thought.

edit: ahh, forget it, Fry's job is not replaceable by NL, dumb thought it was.

Edited by Szoelloe, 30 September 2012 - 15:05.


#70 loki

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 17:22

Sorry but that's not right, and I have had some experience of corporate governance. The whole point of non-executive directors is that they are independent from the company management on a day to day basis, and can therefore bring some sort of objectivity to board decisions.


Yep, over in the Colonies we call then "consultants". The folks that run the business say "what do you think?". Then the decisions are or are not based on that input. Particularly helpful if there are a bunch of suits that have never raced or may not even be racing fans to be able to call on someone with that much experience for an opinion. Say what one may about Lauda but his racing/F1 CV speaks for itself. I'm not particularly a Lauda fan but if I needed input regarding F1 he'd be on the short list.


#71 jjcale

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 20:23

Horrible decision, he is way too outspoken and that's not good for someone as seemingly sensitive as Nico. It's all "Lewis is the best", "Lewis will lead the team to victory" etc. etc., not a good morale boost for Rosberg.


Just because he used to look like a girl does not mean he is sensitive... what's this based on.

NR looks to me to be the more intelligent and mature out of the 2013 line up .... dont think he needs to be mollycoddled

#72 jjcale

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Posted 30 September 2012 - 20:25

Anyone has the feeling Brawn is on his way out?


Could see it happening ... he's made lots of money now and he has had medical issues - so yeah its a real possibility ... even if that's not the current plan.

#73 exmayol

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Posted 01 October 2012 - 01:49

Oh I hate these "consulting" gigs. No responsibility for failure yet share of the glory if it works out. Nice one, Niki.

#74 jcbc3

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Posted 02 November 2012 - 19:48

Adam Cooper tweets:

#F1 Ross Brawn on Niki Lauda's role at Mercedes: "Board meetings will have a slightly different complexion..." 4 hours ago

Brawn having a sense of humour on his new Boss' expense.

#75 Sakae

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Posted 02 November 2012 - 19:55

Adam Cooper tweets:

#F1 Ross Brawn on Niki Lauda's role at Mercedes: "Board meetings will have a slightly different complexion..." 4 hours ago

Brawn having a sense of humour on his new Boss' expense.

I don't get it; does he means lauder?

#76 swerved

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Posted 02 November 2012 - 20:01

Adam Cooper tweets:

#F1 Ross Brawn on Niki Lauda's role at Mercedes: "Board meetings will have a slightly different complexion..." 4 hours ago

Brawn having a sense of humour on his new Boss' expense.



"Can we introduce our latest executive appointment, Sebastian Lobe., erm, sorry, Loeb"

#77 BoschKurve

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Posted 02 November 2012 - 23:14

Someone should ask Bobby Rahal for his thoughts on Lauda being involved with another F1 team.

#78 Eff One 2002

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Posted 03 November 2012 - 01:27

Given how difficult he is to (allegedly) work with, I find this surprising.....

#79 peroa

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Posted 28 February 2013 - 07:56

Well, the non-executive chairman has apparently good chances to go executive, not at Merc though, at AlItalia.
http://www.motorspor...a_13022801.html

Edited by peroa, 28 February 2013 - 09:51.


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#80 sharo

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Posted 28 February 2013 - 09:39

Yep, I saw this in the local news too.

#81 BRG

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Posted 28 February 2013 - 22:10

Well, the non-executive chairman has apparently good chances to go executive, not at Merc though, at AlItalia.
http://www.motorspor...a_13022801.html

He'd be crazy to try taking on Alitalia. It is a terminally bankrupt basketcase and is completely controlled by the unions.