Lewis Hamilton is a long-time admirer of MotoGP. Not only a fan, but he is also friends with nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi. Recently, the two legends of motorsports got together and discussed their journeys so far. While in conversation, Lewis Hamilton divulged details about his switch from Mclaren to Mercedes.

Notably, he also discloses the entities that convinced him to move from Mclaren to a then-struggling Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton discusses details behind his move to Mercedes

Lewis got into some details regarding his move back in 2013. That’s when the world champion moved from a winning Mclaren team to a struggling Mercedes. Lewis was at the end of his contract and not sure of his future. Out of all the offers on the table, he chose a struggling Mercedes team. But it took some convincing! As Lewis reveals, it was then-team principal Ross Brawn and stake-holder Niki Lauda who were the catalysts behind the move.

Lewis mentions in the conversation, “Ross Brawn came to my mum’s house. In the kitchen we had tea and he’s telling me the different things they’re doing to progress as a team.” A surreal experience for Lewis as Brawn was the mastermind behind Michael Schumacher’s world titles. And now there he was, convincing the onetime world champion to join the team, which eventually got him to seven.

Trending

1.3k readers Last 30 min

“Need Him Out of Ferrari”: Carlos Sainz’s Shameless Antics After Charles Leclerc’s Honorable Gesture Infuriates Fans

September 24, 2023 05:35 pm EDT

Who Is Rebecca Donaldson, the New Woman in Carlos Sainz’s Life Post Unexpected Breakup Up With Long Time GF Isa Hernaez?

August 09, 2023 05:00 pm EDT

“Make No Mistake”: Despite Mercedes’ Ugly Reality, Lewis Hamilton Fires Scathing Warning at Rivals

September 24, 2023 11:59 pm EDT

Where Is Kelly Piquet? Why Was Max Verstappen’s GF a No Show at Suzuka?

September 24, 2023 05:11 pm EDT

“It’s Very Rushed”: Las Vegas GP Construction Worker Dies 1 Week After Hotel Manager Highlighted F1’s Negligence

September 25, 2023 04:30 pm EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Hollywood Icon Leonardo DiCaprio Joins Hands With F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton in ‘Pioneering’ Venture

He also mentions a call he received from Niki Lauda as well, “Hey you must come to the team!” But Lewis cut him and said, “But Niki, you’re not winning races. How’s that gonna happen?” To which Lauda said, “I’ll go and meet Ross and he will tell you.” 

Nothing wrong with being a little careful with your future. But it was a joint operation by Ross Brawn and Niki Lauda to convince Lewis to join Mercedes from Mclaren.

Growing together as a team

Lewis later mentions how Rossi and Michael joined teams that were not winning. He said, “I’d seen people like yourself and Michael moving to a team which was not currently winning but the idea of the journey to success with that team, you build something special.” 

Watch this story: Lewis Hamilton Shows Off New Tattoo Ahead Of The Upcoming Met Gala

Lewis, even without a complete conviction, moved to Mercedes because of Niki and Ross. Struggling back then, but before stepping into a new era, Mercedes got Lewis Hamilton on the team. And the rest, as they say, is history!