MAY 18, 2003

Mario Illien and Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug says that "everything is in perfect order" between engine designer Mario Illien and Mercedes-Benz. This conflicts with well-sourced rumors suggesting that Illien is looking for a way out of his contract in order to move to Renault.

"We have to be fully concentrated on what we are doing and not on what the rumors are saying," said Haug. "This is a non-subject. Mario is concentrated on his job, we are, and we need to go forward. I think we made a step forward with this car, and expect us to do another step with the next car."

Haug said that "everybody speaks to the other guy and lots of people have offers" but he said he had asked Illien and Renault boss Flavio Briatore about the rumours.

"I asked Flavio Briatore, he said no. I asked Mario, he said no, so this is not a subject for me any longer," said Haug.