Niki Lauda has revealed the role he played in luring Lewis Hamilton to make the switch from McLaren to Mercedes – a move he says was all about giving the British driver a new challenge.
Mercedes announced last week that Hamilton is to join them on a three-year deal from the start of next season, ending his 14-year association with McLaren.
"I spoke to him a couple of times, but I didn't have to convince him much," Lauda, Mercedes' non-executive chairman, said. "He had a clear plan. I can honestly say I was impressed with his approach to things – very pragmatic, no emotions whatsoever. The real discussion was, 'Why should I leave a competitive car where my life is easier in the future?'."
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