CHRISTIAN LAUTENSCHLAGER (1877-1954) – German
Christian Lautenschlager, representing Daimler, is an astonishing figure for his time, he introduced something to the Grand Prix competition, which is now an obvious part of any competition – tactics based on scientific considerations and technical calculations. Already in 1907 of the year he was at the Grand Prix competition in Dieppe, to develop a detailed tactical plan. It paid off in the next year, in which the Grand Prix races were held again in Dieppe, and Christian Lautenschlager won, because it had precisely calculated fuel consumption and scheduled breaks for minor repairs and tire changes, of which he had no spare left at the finish line.
For the Lyon Grand Prix races in 1914 of the year Lautenschlager, being the head of the Daimler team, he prepared himself even more carefully. Compiled a detailed description of the closed track, where, in addition to bends and slopes, he also marked the quality of the surface. He calculated the maximum speed allowed for each segment, relying on the radius of the curves and the slope of the track in the turns, defined the moments, where you need to brake or accelerate and he checked it all during training rides. The result did not take long to come: despite this, that rivals Delage and Peugeot were braking on all wheels for the first time, Mercedeses took the first three places, and behind the wheel of the first was Lautenschlager.