Mercedes: “We are not here to please BMW”

Mercedes has criticized BMW for not yet making their final decision on rejoining the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
“We are open to any manufacturer that wants to look at the DTM and if they want to join they can join. That should be the end of it,” said Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug to Autosport.

BMW announced earlier this year that they intend to join DTM in 2012 if the new regulations suit their conditions.

“I don’t want to hear about conditions of entry; we could all give lots of conditions. But we don’t make demands,” said Haug.

Another point of criticism from Haug is that BMW is targeting personnel and drivers from Mercedes.

“They are trying very hard to get people from us. Not just drivers, but engineers too. It is an open market, but we would not do it in the same way that they have,” said Haug.

While BMW has not officially confirmed their decision to join the German series in 2012, they are expected to do so in a not too distant future. But the patience has seemingly run out on Mercedes side to get that long awaited third manufacturer in the series.

“We look forward to new competitors. But we are not here to please BMW,” said Haug.