Gerhard Berger has announced his retirement as the sports director of BMW effective from September. The former driver said he was “a little burned out”.
Gerhard Berger on Wednesday announced his retirement as the sports director of BMW effective from September. The former driver said he was “a little burned out”.
The reported that Berger told an Austrian radio that he had enough. “I already said several times already that I am a little burned out,” he said.
“I have had 20 years of a vagabond’s life and the many strains have left traces. I’d like to have more time for me, my family and other private matters.
“This decision was far from easy for me,” said Berger. “My job as BMW Motorsport director means a great deal to me, especially as I have a deep-rooted and special relationship with the company.
“After all, BMW gave me the opportunity and its trust to prove my entrepreneurial capabilities as well after my active career as a racing driver. My relations with the decision-makers at BMW have been excellent, and working together with Mario Theissen as a directing duo has not only functioned extremely well but has also been very successful.”
Mario Theissen will remain as sole BMW Motorsport director after Berger’s contract runs out. “With his wealth of experience and his connections, Gerhard Berger was the ideal man to fill the post. But we accept that, after all his years in motorsport, he now wants some more time to devote to private things. There will not be a successor to Gerhard Berger in this post,” said Dr Burkhard Göschel, BMW board member responsible for development and purchasing.
