Mercedes Sues Ferrari-Bound F-1 Engineer for Data Theft
- Hoyle saved files before planned departure to competitor
- Ferrari may have gained 'unlawful' advantage, suit alleges
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Mercedes-Benz AG 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 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’ F-1 engines and files containing code required to decrypt raw race data files, the suit alleges.