December 8, 2015 – Mercedes AMG is suing one of its Formula 1 engineers for taking confidential documents and data as he prepared to join competitor Ferrari.
Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, which makes engines for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team, is suing Benjamin Hoyle, according to an Oct. 19 filing released Monday. Hoyle, who intends to join Ferrari after his contract expires in December, searched for and saved files including a race report from the Hungary 2015 Grand Prix, mileage and damage data relating to Mercedes’ F1 engines and files containing code required to decrypt raw race data files, the suit alleges.
Hoyle’s “actions were calculated to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of trust” he has with Mercedes, the company said in the filing. “Mr. Hoyle and potentially Ferrari have gained an unlawful advantage.”
Mercedes is seeking the return of all documents and information, payment of its legal fees, and wants to block Hoyle from joining Ferrari or any other F1 competitor until after the 2016 season.