Wolff Recalls Lauda’s Doubts Upon Signing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes F1 in 2013

Lewis Hamilton has signed a two-year contract to drive for Mercedes till the end of the 2023 season. With this contract extension, he has confirmed his aspirations to drive the new generation of cars in 2022.

In a recent video published on the team’s social media platforms, the seven-time world champion and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff can be seen discussing the former’s journey with the German team.

In their conversation, they spoke about Mercedes’ late advisor and three-time world champion Niki Lauda, and his doubts over Lewis being the right driver for the team.

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Niki Lauda doubted the driver choice: Toto Wolff on Hamilton’s signing

Reminiscing about Lewis’ journey when he first signed for Mercedes. Wolff said,” I remember when we came into this together in 2013. You joined the team, and I joined the team.

“In Barcelona testing, where you said you couldn’t sleep because Roscoe (Lewis’s dog) was keeping you awake.”

Lewis replied,” Yeah. He took a poo in my bed.” Toto quickly mentioned Niki Lauda‘s reaction,” Niki Lauda doubted the driver’s choice. You had told us at breakfast that you didn’t sleep all night before you were driving because Roscoe pooed in the bed and you needed to take him out at 4 in the morning.

“And then you left breakfast, he looked at me, and said ‘Are you sure we are having the right driver?'” 

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Can Lewis Hamilton break Schumacher’s record of most world titles?

By signing his contract extension till the end of 2023, Lewis Hamilton has given himself two more years to break Michael Schumacher’s record for the highest number of world championships; he is currently tied with the German legend for seven drivers’ titles in F1.

Unfortunately, the Briton’s current title campaign isn’t going well. He is currently 18 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. If Hamilton wants to keep his title hopes alive this season, he needs to end the Dutchman’s race-winning streak soon.

Do you think Lewis will be able to drive past Verstappen today? Let us know in the comments.