Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes career almost wasn’t an option in 2013

Former CEO of Mercedes Nick Fry has revealed that the team weren’t convinced about taking on Lewis Hamilton from McLaren, opting to look at other drivers initially to drive alongside Nico Rosberg for the 2013 season.

Mercedes returned to the Formula 1 grid in 2010 after taking over the Brawn GP team, putting Rosberg and seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher in their seats.
 
Schumacher retired again from F1 in 2012 and the Silver Arrows were in need of a replacement, but Hamilton was not the main option at first with Mercedes profiling other drivers instead.
 
Fry said in his book Survive. Drive. Win.: “In the first instance, I was unable to convince Mercedes of getting Lewis Hamilton.
 
“Several times we were told to think of someone else. For whatever reason, we were suggested to review drivers like Nick Heidfeld again; A driver who really wanted to take a seat.
 
“I received photos of himself, his family and his dog on the assembly line in an attempt to convince me.”
 
It wasn’t until Niki Lauda was brought into the team that Hamilton became an option saying: “Get him, I'll ask Mercedes later to forgive the choice."
 
Since the Brit has joined the Silver Arrows it has been nothing but success in the recent hybrid era of F1.
 
The team have won the past five constructors and drivers’ championships with Hamilton winning four of them and former teammate Rosberg taking his sole Championship in 2016 before he retired from the sport.
 
The 34-year old looks like he will again secure a sixth World Championship as he leads the standings ahead of current teammate Valtteri Bottas by 63 points.