Key Porsche motorsport figure Hatz leaves

One of the architects of Porsche's successes at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the World Endurance Championship last season has left the company.

Wolfgang Hatz, who oversaw Porsche's return to top-flight sportscar racing in 2014 as research and development director, has departed at his own request, according to a statement from the German manufacturer.

The move follows a period of leave for Hatz in the wake of the "dieselgate" emissions controversy last autumn. He was temporarily suspended because his previous position within the Volkswagen Group, of which Porsche is a part, had been as head of engine and transmissions, initially for Audi and then for the wider company.

The statement stressed that the ongoing investigation into the fixing of emissions tests had "shown no evidence of any co-responsibility so far" on the part of Hatz.

Hatz, 57, said that he would "look back fondly" at his time at Porsche.

His successor with immediate effect is Michael Steiner, who was previously vice-president complete vehicle engineering/quality management.

Hatz had a background in motorsport, previously working for BMW and Opel's racing divisions. He was a project leader in engine development at BMW Motorsport in the 1980s and had a first stint at Porsche from 1989 during which he worked on the V12 Formula 1 powerplant briefly used by Footwork in 1991. Hatz was then technical director of motorsport at Opel before joining Fiat in 1987.

Hatz followed a line of R&D bosses at Porsche who played an active role in motorsport. They included Dr Ferdinand Piech, Helmuth Bott and Horst Marchart.

Originally on Autosport.com