 Before the race had concluded , Mercedes @-@ Benz addressed criticism from other drivers and teams of its decisions . Haug believed that the team 's data from Webber 's practice incident had been adequately analysed and that the drivers did not feel there were problems with their cars in traffic that could cause the same incidents , prompting his decision to continue . He also stated his belief that contact between CLR No. 5 and the Estoril Porsche may have damaged the front diffuser and led to the aerodynamic instabilities . Shortly after Le Mans Mercedes conducted its own examination of the accidents by running the remaining CLR on an airfield to verify wind tunnel data . Although no conclusions were published by Mercedes the company cancelled the rest of its 1999 programme , withdrawing from the Norisring exhibition event and the final three rounds of the American Le Mans Series . The team 's change in plans for the Norisring eventually led to the entire event being cancelled over a lack of manufacturer involvement . Mercedes returned to touring car racing from 2000 onwards , and has not participated at Le Mans in any capacity since 1999 . 
