Max Sailer

Max Sailer
  • Surname
    Sailer
  • First name
    Max
  • Date of birth
    20.12.1882
  • Date of death
    05.02.1964

Sailer, from Esslingen, was one of the most important protagonists in the early years of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). In November 1902, he joined DMG as an engineer and worked there, with interruptions due to his studies, until July 1905. After five years at Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach, he returned to DMG in 1910 and was active as a racing driver, among other things, achieving great success for himself and his employer.

In 1914, for example, he was part of the Mercedes team at the triumphant Grand Prix de l'A.C.F. in Lyon. The newcomer managed to take the lead and set the fastest lap of the race before retiring – with almost three minutes to spare – on the sixth lap with engine failure. At the 1921 Targa Florio, Sailer won the production car class with the Mercedes 28/95 hp and also came second overall. The following year, he finished sixth overall in Sicily and won the production car class again.

In 1921, 1922 and 1925 he was successful in the Baden-Baden Automobile Tournament and the Robert-Batschari-Fahrt. In 1923, he was part of the Mercedes team at the Indy 500, where he finished eighth and best European driver. In later years, Sailer advanced to the position of technical director and deputy member of the board of Daimler-Benz AG. From 1934 onwards, he was in charge of the entire design and development of the vehicle programme, including the racing cars. Sailer retires in 1942.

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