R&D Chief Wolfgang Hatz Leaves Porsche

Photo: Porsche

Porsche’s R&D chief Wolfgang Hatz, who played an instrumental part in the German manufacturer’s motorsports efforts has left the company, it was announced Tuesday.

Hatz, who had been suspended during investigations over VW’s emission crisis, requested to be released from his contract due to the ongoing internal investigations and his prolonged absence, a statement from Porsche said.

“Wolfgang Hatz celebrated the double victory of the Porsche LMP1 race car at Le Mans in June 2015, a culmination of his outstanding work,” said Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, in a statement.

He will be replaced by Dr. Michael Steiner, who takes over the development role in Weissach after serving as Vice President Complete Vehicle Engineering/Quality Management.

Neither Hatz or VW development chief Ullrich Hackenberg have been formally implicated in the emissions scandal so far.

Porsche’s factory LMP1 program returns to action in this weekend’s Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John