Mercedes names successor to Lauda as non-executive chairman

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The Mercedes F1 team has announced that Daimler's Markus Schäfer has been nominated as the outfit's new non-executive chairman.

Schäfer - a former non-executive director of the Silver Arrows outfit and member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development - follows in the footsteps of Niki Lauda who passed away earlier this year.

Mercedes has also appointed Frank Markus Weber, Vice President Corporate Development of Daimler AG, as a non-executive director of the team with immediate effect

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"The commitment of our parent company has been fundamental to the team's success and will continue to be so in the years ahead," said Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff.

"This support for Formula One 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 One is a powerful technology and marketing platform for Mercedes-Benz globally, and a valuable shop window for the company's values and its competitiveness."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.