Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has revealed how he inspired Mercedes to sign Lewis Hamilton in 2012.
When it was announced six years ago that Lewis Hamilton would be leaving McLaren for Mercedes, it was controversial.
Why did Lewis Hamilton switch from McLaren, then still a title challenger, to Mercedes F1, which has only managed two victories since taking over at Brawn GP?
Lewis Hamilton was persuaded by the late Niki Lauda to join the team, but a dispute over compensation nearly halted the move.
To help with the move, former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has offered Lewis Hamilton part of his Mercedes F1 salary, according to the documentary Discovery + Lucky!.
Bernie Ecclestone, who has worked with Niki Lauda throughout his F1 career, has agreed to facilitate a transfer if Mercedes cannot pay Lewis Hamilton the full salary he demands.
“Niki realized how valuable Lewis was and found a way to convince him that he should be driving for Mercedes,” said Ecclestone.
“If he (Hamilton) hadn’t been paid the way he wanted, he wouldn’t have agreed (to ride for them).
“I said ‘I’ll pay the difference because he’s the one Mercedes needs’, but in the end Mercedes paid.”
For Lewis Hamilton, the move proved to be a huge success as he won six F1 world championships and helped Mercedes capture eight constructors’ championships.
Category: F1 / Bernie Ecclestone / Lewis Hamilton / mercedes
