Steiner to Step Down from Porsche Board

Photo: Porsche

Dr. Michael Steiner, who has served on the executive board of research and development for Porsche for the last decade, and played a key role in the German manufacturer’s motorsports programs, will step down from his position in May, it has been announced.

The 62-year-old, who is three years short of retirement age at Porsche, will be replaced by 52-year-old Joerg Bartles, who joins from Mercedes-Benz.

It comes amid Porsche’s new ‘Sportwagenschmiede ’35’ strategy, which Steiner was “closely involved” in developing, according to a statement from the manufacturer.

Steiner joined Porsche 25 years ago as head of innovations, concepts and CAE and and at the same time held chief representative at Porsche Engineering Group GmbH, before taking over as head of the Panamera model line and then complete vehicle development and quality in 2011.

He was appointed a member of the executive board in 2016 and last year was named deputy chairman.

In addition to helping lead Porsche’s transformation on the production car side, he was also an active supporter of the brand’s motorsport activities, which included the successful Porsche 919 Hybrid program and launch of the Porsche 963 project under Porsche Penske Motorsport.

A reason for Steiner’s exit has not been disclosed by Porsche.

“Michael Steiner embodies Weissach and its significance for Porsche like no one else. His name stands not only for numerous brand-defining innovations, but also for countless victories on the world’s legendary race tracks,” said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of the supervisory board of Porsche AG.

“His comprehensive and deep understanding of technology was also instrumental in carrying the core of the Porsche brand into the era of electric mobility.

“Our heartfelt thank you goes to Dr Michael Steiner for his outstanding work. We wish him all the very best for the future.

Porsche AG CEO Dr. Michael Leiters added: “Time and again, Michael Steiner and his team have succeeded in transferring motorsport genes to our production vehicles. He is an engineer at heart, and I greatly value his technical expertise and personality.

“Most recently, we worked closely together on developing the strategy Sportwagenschmiede ’35.

“Michael Steiner and I prepared this transition together and will organize the handover to his successor in close coordination.

“I am already looking forward to working with Joerg Bartels. He brings extensive experience in vehicle development and transformation and has worked internationally.

“He will consistently drive forward the realignment of our research and development that is already underway.”

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