Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas visit Mercedes-Benz factory

Workers at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen factory got a big surprise when the two Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport drivers, Lewis Hamilton, and Valtteri Bottas, made a quick pit stop on Wednesday to say ‘hello’ to the Sindelfingen workforce on their way to the Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz Großer Preis von Deutschland taking place this weekend at the Hockenheimring.

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development with responsibility for global purchasing at Mercedes-Benz Cars: “I’m very pleased that Lewis and Valtteri were able to meet the Sindelfingen crew, as we are ‘One team’. Collaboration, team spirit, and motivation are crucial in the race track if you want to win. For us, too, they are key factors to our success in R&D.”

“One brand, one team” – is the motto that unites Mercedes-AMG Petronas crew both on and off the race track with Mercedes-Benz car workers in the factory and in all other areas: #OneTeam #Drivenbyeachother.

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board at Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain Management: “As in Formula One, team spirit is a key factor to success in Mercedes-Benz Cars’ global production network. In order to achieve success, we depend on people who can produce top-quality Mercedes-Benz vehicles for our customers while demonstrating flexibility and passion. We wish Lewis and Valtteri every success for this weekend’s race at the Hockenheimring.”

Lewis and Valtteri met a lot of colleagues from the Mercedes family, including workers on the S-Class production line. They answered questions, signed autographs and took photos with their colleagues.

Michael Bauer, Head of Production at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant and factory manager: “In the run-up to the holidays, this surprise visit by our Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas is meant as a special ‘thank you’ to the staff at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant. Our team have done a terrific job during the past six months, delivering exemplary team performance.”

As they met their colleagues, Lewis and Valtteri also talked about purpose – the “why” of a company and why team spirit determines success.

Lewis Hamilton: “Living with purpose means for me to be innovative, to try new ways and sometimes to take risks. It’s all about team spirit. When I cross the finish line, I feel like I’m being driven by the whole team.”

Valtteri Bottas: “When you live your purpose and are passionate about it, you stay one step ahead. And if you can inspire your team with the idea of purpose, then it develops the energy of its own.”

The two Formula One drivers were also introduced to the team led by Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG’s design facility and learned about some of the latest developments at design HQ.

About the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen factory 

The Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen factory is the center of excellence for premium, luxury passenger cars and is the lead plant for the production of both the S and E-Class series. The GLC and EQ electric vehicles that belong to this new product and technology brand will also be produced at the factory in the future. Together with Mercedes-Benz Cars central production facility, the plant has more than 25,000 staff. Mercedes-Benz manufactures the E-Class (saloons and estates), the CLS, the S-Class (saloon, coupé, and convertible), the Mercedes Maybach, the Mercedes-AMG GT range and the GLA there. At the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen Customer Centre, some 250 vehicles are handed over to customers every day. Sindelfingen is also home to the group’s R&D department which is the driving force behind Daimler’s technological future and is regarded as a guarantor for high-quality Mercedes-Benz cars. Its aim is to produce innovative, ground-breaking products while developing highly efficient production processes. In close partnership with all other areas of the business, its employees are committed to designing components that incorporate ideas informed by research and advanced development processes.