Niki Lauda Leaves Air Berlin Board to Focus on Mercedes GP Role

Former Formula One champion Niki Lauda has resigned his position on the Air Berlin board after it conflicted with his new role at Mercedes Formula One team.

Austrian Lauda was named as non-executive chairman of the British-based team’s board when 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton was signed from McLaren last September.

Since then, Mercedes have announced the departure of motorsport chief Norbert Haug after more than 20 years in the high-profile job.

Lauda, 63 and a former Jaguar team principal, is expected to play a link role between the team and Stuttgart car manufacturer.

The Austrian retired from Formula One racing in 1985 to focus on his aviation interests. The low-cost Niki airline he founded in 2003 is now owned by Air Berlin after Lauda sold his stake in 2011.

Air Berlin thanked Lauda in a statement for his “committed, stimulating work for the benefit of the company”.