American multinational technology company Apple poached the technical director, Alexander Hitzinger, of Porsche’s race car previously this year, a business source stated, employing a task manager who assisted engineer the sports car business’s victorious return to the Le Mans endurance race.
Alexander Hitzinger, 45, is the newest auto professional to be recruited by Apple as it explores developing its own vehicle.
Previously this month, Apple urged regulators not to enforce too many restrictions on developers of self-driving automobiles.
Hitzinger could not be reached for discussion. The move was first noted by Germany’s Manager Magazin.
Formally, Porsche just confirmed Hitzinger had left the high-end automaker in the spring. Apple was not available for remark.
Hitzinger helped Porsche, to go back to endurance racing and to develop the 919 hybrid sports car from scratch, just like Apple is now looking into building its own car.
Porsche’s new race vehicle won Le Mans and the endurance racing world championship in 2015 and 2016 using mainly unproven technology, that beat much more recognized rivals.
Hitzinger helped employ and construct a development group and organizational structure at Porsche, broadening from ten personnel to more than 150 employees.
Hitzinger’s LinkedIn profile states he left Porsche in March and signed up with a “Technology Business” situated in the San Francisco Bay Area as an engineering executive in April.