The first major successes of the Swiss racing team came at the end of the eighties when Sauber persuaded Mercedes to return to racing. Highlights of Sauber's partnership with the German automotive manufacturer were the dual victory in the 24 Hours at Le Mans (1989) and the manufacturers' and drivers' titles on two occasions (1989 and 1990) in the World Sportscar Championship held in those years. The ranks of those winning their racing spurs with Sauber included three future crack Formula 1 drivers: Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger.
