Lewis Hamilton Reveals Ross Brawn, Not Niki Lauda, Key to Mercedes Move

Lewis Hamilton has clarified a long-standing belief, stating it was former team principal Ross Brawn, not the late Niki Lauda, who was the primary influence behind his career-defining switch to Mercedes in 2013.

Why it matters

This revelation challenges the widely held narrative surrounding one of the most significant driver transfers in Formula 1 history, which led to Hamilton securing six additional world titles with Mercedes. It also highlights the strategic foresight of Brawn in building a championship-winning team.

The details

• Hamilton's move from McLaren to the Brackley-based squad in 2013 was initially met with skepticism, as Mercedes had not yet established itself as a top-tier contender in the modern F1 era.
• Three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who held a senior position at Mercedes, has frequently been credited with convincing Hamilton to join.
• However, Hamilton, now 40, recently told RacingNews365 that while he had "so much love for Niki" and Lauda "was definitely a part of it," the pivotal discussion was with Ross Brawn.
• "When we sat together in my mum’s kitchen, he told me where the team was going and what they were doing," Hamilton explained. "It was mostly that meeting that really pulled me in."
• Hamilton also reflected on his relationship with Lauda, who passed away in 2019. He noted the honor of celebrating Lauda's legacy both at Mercedes and, looking ahead to his move to Ferrari, where Lauda also achieved success.
• He shared an anecdote about Lauda's unique motivational style: "When I didn’t do well, he’d tell me to 'Give them hell' – but he would always say the word ‘arseholes’! I never understood it at first. I’d say 'What do you mean? Do you mean give them hell?' and he would say 'No, give them arseholes!'. But he was just such a fighter."

What's next

As Hamilton prepares for his move to Ferrari in 2025, this insight into his past decisions offers a glimpse into the strategic thinking that has shaped his remarkable career. His ability to connect with influential figures like Brawn has been a consistent theme in his journey.