Lewis Hamilton Refutes Famous Niki Lauda Story as Reason for Joining Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton revealed that contrary to popular belief, Niki Lauda wasn't the one who convinced him to join Mercedes in 2013.

Lewis Hamilton Refutes Famous Niki Lauda Story as Reason for Joining Mercedes

Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton (via Getty), Lewis Hamilton (in circle, via Reuters)

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Niki Lauda was one of the key figures at Mercedes, who was considered to have a great role in bringing Lewis Hamilton from McLaren to his team back in 2013. Since then, Lauda acted as a mentor and motivator for Hamilton as he went on to achieve the most successful career with Brackley. However, amid the 40-year-old’s tribute to the late legend, he has made a shocking revelation about his switch to Mercedes back then.

Lewis Hamilton was extremely close to Niki Lauda, as the latter saw in him what others often failed to do. Since Lauda passed away in 2019, Hamilton often paid tribute to him in races and victories. Even at the recent Italian GP, the 40-year-old recreated the Austrian’s iconic picture on the circuit with Ferrari. The three-time champion even openly supported the Briton, especially during his intense rivalry with Nico Rosberg in 2016.

Even though Niki Lauda seemingly had such a great influence on Lewis Hamilton and his F1 career, the latter made a shocking revelation. Hamilton pointed out that Lauda wasn’t the one who convinced him to join Mercedes back in 2013. Rather, it was Ross Brawn, the then team principal at Brackley, who played a bigger role than the Austrian in terms of taking the leap in teams.

Lewis Hamilton continued that he sat down with Brawn in his mother’s kitchen and had a deep conversation about Mercedes and their ambitions in Formula 1. While Hamilton accepted that Niki Lauda was partly the reason behind his switch in teams, Ross Brawn played the bigger role. That meeting in the kitchen was the turning point for the 40-year-old, as he officially declared his switch shortly after that.

Well, firstly, I have so much love for Niki. But Niki didn’t convince me to join Mercedes. It was more Ross, really, back then. When we sat together in my mum’s kitchen, he told me where the team was going and what they were doing. Niki was definitely a part of it, but it was mostly that meeting that really pulled me in.

Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by RacingNews365.com

Lewis Hamilton didn’t join Ferrari for Niki Lauda’s legacy

Niki Lauda was also a key figure at Ferrari for a good chunk of his Formula 1 career. The three-time champion won his maiden title with the Italian constructor and had good relations there as well. Hence, Lewis Hamilton’s shocking switch to Maranello in 2025 was also believed to be because of the Austrian and his relations within the Scuderia. However, Hamilton has confirmed that this wasn’t the case either.

Lewis Hamilton (via Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton (via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton recalled that while he and Niki Lauda had a great relationship, the former did not even think about him when joining Ferrari. Rather, the major reason behind joining Maranello was Michael Schumacher, someone whom Hamilton saw and admired since his childhood days. The Briton added that he was always surprised to see the love and passion whenever a Ferrari driver stood tall on the podium. Hence, he wanted to feel these things and ultimately decided to join the Scuderia.

Niki and I had an amazing relationship. When I joined Ferrari, I hadn’t even thought of Niki having driven at Ferrari. It was literally just because, as a kid, I watched Michael and was a big fan of the team. I always looked at the reaction from the crowd every time Ferrari was on the podium – the passion was like no other team. I wanted to feel what that was like.

Lewis Hamilton noted

The 2025 season has been nothing short of a massive challenge for Lewis Hamilton. However, the Briton keeps Niki Lauda alive in his heart and remembers the unique encouragement provided by the latter. Hamilton is honoring Lauda and his legacy in Formula 1, something that the latter would definitely would have loved to witness.

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