“Niki called me and said,” Lewis Hamilton narrates how Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda lured him to Mercedes

“Niki called me and said,” Lewis Hamilton narrates how Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda lured him to Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton and Niki Lauda

Lewis Hamilton is arguably the greatest driver in the history of Formula One. The Briton is level with the great Michael Schumacher  in terms of World Championship titles. The 7-time World Champion has most wins (103), pole positions (103), and podium finishes (183) for a Formula One driver to his name. Hamilton’s era of domination began since the Brit switched from McLaren to Mercedes ahead of the 2013 season.

Hamilton debuted in F1 with McLaren in 2007 partnering alongside 2-time World Champion Fernando Alonso. But he went straight to business from the first race itself and finished on the podium in his debut in Australia. Hamilton finished runner-up in the 2007 World Drivers’ Championship to Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen by one point in his rookie year. He eventually won his first title the next year, clinching the 2008 Formula One title in the last lap of the race. He became the then-youngest Formula One World Champion.

In the years that followed, Hamilton suffered a fallout with McLaren, and made an exit from the team to Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, in a chat with Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi, explained how he moved to Mercedes thanks to the pusuasion of F1 legend Niki Lauda and Ross Brawn.

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Mercedes entered the sport after buying out the Brawn GP team. They were mainly into Powerunits but decided to enter the sport in 2010. Hamilton agreed the move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013, where he would be replacing F1 legend Micheal Schumacher. he would also be paired up with old friend-turned-rival Nico Rosberg. This move surprised many at the time, but with Hamilton on board, Mercedes made history in the sport.

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Lewis Hamilton shares his move from McLaren to Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi
Lewis Hamilton and Valentino Rossi

Niki Lauda acted as the Non-executive Chairman of the Mercedes AMG F1 Team. While Ross Brawn was the Team Principal from 2013. Brawn was the “mastermind” behind Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships with Benetton and Ferrari. The duo were responible for signing Lewis Hamilton to a three-year deal with Mercedes in 2013. At the time, Mercedes were a midfield team, finishing 5th in 2012 season, and Hamilton wasn’t keen on signing with them. But he continued after an sitting with Brawn.

Hamilton recollected the memories and said, “Ross Brawn came to my mum’s house and we had tea. And he said the different things they [Mercedes] are doing to progress as a team. And I am thinking to myself, this is surreal. Because I was watching the championships when Micheal [Schumacher] was winning. And now the guy is in my mum’s kitchen, asking me to join his team which is awesome.”

He then stated another familiar name to Rossi who persuaded the Brit. “It was Ross and Niki [Lauda]. Niki called me and said, “hey you must come to the team, this is the place!” And I was like you are not winning races, how’s that gonna happen. And he told, “Go and meet Ross, he’ll tell you.” So it was a joint effort.” Brawn left Mercedes in 2013 while Lauda was an advisor for the Silver Arrows until his death in 2019.

Mercedes would capitalise on the 2014 regulation change and dominate the sport during the entirety of the Turbo-Hybrid Era winning 8 consecutive Constructors championships. Lewis too would taste unmatchable levels of success claiming 6 drivers titles. He would also use his fame and the platform to spread the awareness of combatting racism and pushing for an increased diversity in motorsports.

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