In the almost seven years of its existence, the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer sports programme can look back upon a very successful history. So far, the SLS AMG GT3 has racked up 174 race wins. Likewise, the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 already collected 18 first places all over the world in its maiden season. Jochen Bitzer, among others, has also largely contributed to this success as he was responsible for the successful expansion and establishment of the Mercedes-AMG Customer Sports programme in the past three years. Now, the 43-year-old is to take on a different challenge and will be taking up a new function at Daimler AG on 1 March, 2017. Until further notice, Stefan Wendl, who has been involved in the Mercedes-AMG customer sports programme since 2015, will be taking over Jochen Bitzer’s duties and will be available for the teams as a competent contact person.
Effective from March, the designation of the Mercedes-AMG customer sports department will change as well. The team next to Stefan Wendl will remain in place and, under the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing banner, will again be doing everything with unbridled commitment this season to continue the sporting success of the performance brand from Affalterbach.
Jochen Bitzer: “For me, the past three years at the helm of the customer sports department were an incredibly valuable and intense time – much more than just a job in every aspect. Both on and off the race track, we have been able to achieve many things together and we got to experience many eventful moments. Our GT programme has prospered in a successful way and has become a fixed element in Mercedes-AMG’s involvement in motorsport. I am convinced that the success story of our customer sports programme will seamlessly continue. I would like to thank the teams, drivers and, of course, my colleagues at Mercedes-AMG in the most heartfelt way.”
Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “I want to thank Jochen for his commitment, with which he established and expanded our customer sports programme in the past three years. He and his team have played a major role in the achievements we were able to score with our new Mercedes-AMG GT3 all over the world. With Stefan Wendl, a competent contact person with a vast experience remains available within our company.”
