Hamilton, Rosberg visit Mercedes-Benz plant

Stuttgart, 3 July 2013: As part of the build-up to the German Grand Prix, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, accompanied by Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff, called in to see their Mercedes-Benz colleagues at the Sindelfingen plant near Stuttgart on Wednesday. At one point during the visit, Mercedes-Benz employees had the opportunity to quiz the Formula 1 stars during a question and answer session.

Works Manager Willi Reiss took Rosberg, Hamilton and Wolff on a guided tour of the assembly line for the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class which entered production at Sindelfingen this year. The two Silver Arrow drivers were given the opportunity to demonstrate their own mechanical skills by fitting the wheels onto a Mercedes-Benz S Class. “Working on the assembly line and fitting the wheels onto a new S-Class was a new experience for me,” said Hamilton. “All the same, I’m relieved to have the guys change my tyres on a race weekend; they’re much faster at it!”

“I’m very interested in technology,” said Rosberg, “so for me it’s great that I get all these opportunities with Mercedes-Benz to take a look behind the scenes at their ultra-modern production facilities. I always learn a lot on every factory visit. Today, I’ve helped fit the wheels onto an S-Class at Sindelfingen, but recently I’ve also helped to assemble a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine at Mercedes AMG in Affalterbach and a Formula 1 engine at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. If I carry on like this, I may eventually find that I’ve built a whole car…”

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in surprise presentation for Mercedes-Benz customers 

How would you like to be presented with the keys to your new Mercedes-Benz by a Formula 1 driver? This dream scenario became a reality for two Mercedes-Benz customers in Sindelfingen. Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were on hand when the customers came to collect their new vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz customer centre at Sindelfingen.

“The surprise was written all over his face as I handed him the key to his new Mercedes-Benz E-Class,” said Rosberg. Hamilton also drew a huge smile from the second customer when he presented the keys of a new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: “It is always a pleasure to meet customers and colleagues at the Mercedes-Benz works. We do our very best for them on a race weekend in the hope of being successful and making them proud of the Silver Arrows team.”

Looking to the future: Innovations for the race track and the open road 

On their tour of the Design Department, the two Formula 1 drivers and their boss got a glimpse of the next generation of production vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. The innovative technical features in the pipeline are not just aimed at boosting performance in the top echelon of motorsport; the team at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center in Sindelfingen are also working intensively on stylish, safe and innovative vehicle concepts for the future. This unique collaboration means that the latest learning from research, development and design are also integrated into the production process.

“I have spoken to various Formula 1 fans today amongst the dedicated team here who work with great precision, apply inventive engineering and invest great passion in the development and construction of the latest Mercedes-Benz premium-class models,” said Toto Wolff. “I have immense respect for the fantastic work they do. A Mercedes-Benz made in Sindelfingen is a car that manages to combine the attributes of quality and comfort, of safety and elegance. As is the case in Formula 1, the focus here is on the right blend of perfectionism, responsibility and passion for one’s work, consistent with the philosophy of Gottlieb Daimler: The best or nothing.”

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