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In Desperate Days at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton Reveals the Secret Gestures Fighter Niki Lauda Shared With Him: “If I Did a Bad Job…”

Published 04/19/2023, 6:30 AM EDT

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via Imago

Niki Lauda once said, “From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.” Mercedes surely are missing the expertise of a Veteran like Niki Lauda as they struggle to challenge for wins. As Lewis Hamilton deals with the retreat of Angela Cullen, he remembers Niki Lauda and his memories with the legend himself. The seven-time world champion revealed the secret gestures that he shared with the Veteran. What were these gestures and what did they mean? 

Niki Lauda convinced Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes despite many, including his father, asking the now 38-year-old to stay with Mclaren. In a recent YouTube video uploaded by Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton talks about a secret gesture that he shared with his mentor as he praises him.

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According to the video uploaded by Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton said “He was such a fighter and he’s still very much a part of the team” Further adding “One of the proud moments for me was that Niki used to always…. If  I did a good job he would take his hat off which he didn’t take off for anything really. And if I did a bad job he would do this, basically saying give me my money back.” 

Not only Mercedes, but the seven-time world champion must also be missing the leadership and mentoring of Niki Lauda. Lewis Hamilton longs for a friend and supporter as his Physio Angela Cullen left earlier this season. Both Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton are trying to find their feet and are desperate to regain ground on Red Bull. As a result of the desperation a new concept is being developed and Lewis Hamilton is dictating the changes.

Mercedes listens to Lewis Hamilton as desperation kicks in.

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Desperate to get back to winning ways, Mercedes and Toto Wolff turn to Lewis Hamilton for his expert feedback. The Mercedes engineers developed the W13 and W14 based on the simulation numbers and not the driver’s feedback and paid the price. The Briton explained his concern regarding the driver’s position in W14 and how he feels disconnected from the car because of it. As Mercedes embarks to bring in the new concept in time for Emilia Romagna GP, Lewis Hamilton explains how he is dictating the changes as Mercedes makes an attempt to get back on the top step of the podium.

via Imago

According to Express.co.uk, Lewis Hamilton said “So [that has been] in the processes in the background, in how I engage with engineers, how I am able to extract what I need from all the different sections, different departments.” “I was at the mercy of the engineers around me. I couldn’t dictate a huge amount. I couldn’t say, ‘Hey, guys, this is the direction we need to go’. I can do that now. I know what I need in the car in order to do what I need to do, in order to be able to extract my performance and the performance of the car.”

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Watch this story: Who is Angela Cullen? Fun facts about Lewis Hamilton’s blonde assistant!

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Written by:

Pranay Bhagi

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Pranay Bhagi is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports, who has always been passionate about sports and writing. With a degree from a prestigious institute, he has channeled his enthusiasm into sports journalism, particularly F1, a sport that has captivated him for over a decade. Pranay's deep-rooted love for the sport began during the Sebastian Vettel era, and he has been following it religiously ever since.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai