‘What if you win a Championship with Mercedes’: Niki Lauda’s legendary response that convinced Lewis Hamilton to leave McLaren for the German Giants
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Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton
Over the years, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have become synonymous with each other, and with the help of this piece we are going to have a look at what exactly went on between the late Non-Executive Chairman of Mercedes Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton that convinced the latter to jump base from McLaren to Mercedes back in 2013.
Niki Lauda in his racing days was a prolific driver who managed to win the F1 Championship thrice and to date is the only one who has won the Championship with both Ferrari and Mercedes.
After the end of his on-track exploits, Niki Lauda took on the role of Non-Executive Chairman at Mercedes and that changed the fortunes of the Brackley-based team forever.
The Austrian was the main protagonist in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes and previously while shedding light on his stupendous feat, Lauda said, “He asked me one question. Why the hell should I leave McLaren and come to you if you are now 5th in the Constructors Championship?”
Lauda was taken aback for a few seconds by Hamilton’s remark and while dwelling over the awkward moment said, “I was for 10 seconds speechless, I said what should I tell him now, he is right, and I said but what would happen if you would win a World Championship in a Mercedes.”
Niki Lauda promised Lewis Hamilton to do everything in his power to give him a competitive car
“Because then you can prove to the whole world that you have been the first World Champion in a Mercedes,” Lauda added.
In 2012 McLaren was able to finish third in the Constructors Championship whereas Mercedes despite all its efforts ended up fifth, and this was Lewis Hamilton’s main concern when he was asked to join the Silver Arrows.
However, the veteran Niki Lauda was able to pull off something special that ultimately assured Hamilton that by joining Mercedes, he was making the right move.
Lauda while further dwelling over his tussle with Hamilton further added, “I thought this was half of my victory to make him think in that direction and then I got him really on the competitive edge.”
“I tell you I will do everything I can to give you a competitive car, this I can assure you with all my efforts and the whole team.“
After looking at the in-depth conversation that Lewis Hamilton had with Niki Lauda, it is safe to say that the Austrian’s 2012 masterstroke changed the whole dynamic of the Mercedes team.
From fighting in the midfield, Hamilton, and Co. went to winning both the Championships on a regular basis and no one can forget about the domination of Mercedes over its rivals during the turbo hybrid era of F1.
From 2014 onward, Mercedes was at the absolute top in F1 and no one was really able to challenge the Silver Arrows till the 2021 season of F1.
All the success that the team has enjoyed in the sport so far would not have been possible had Niki Lauda not thought about bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes.
Usually, the drivers are the ones who are credited with the success of the team but in Mercedes’s case, the credit also goes to the former three-time Champion of F1, the late Niki Lauda.
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Rishabh Negi
(3244 Articles Published)