Brawn: "Niki was crucial" in bringing Hamilton to Mercedes

Ross Brawn has described Niki Lauda's role in bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes as "crucial" admitting the Austrian convinced them to pay whatever it took to get the Brit to the team.

Lauda sadly passed away last week after being treated for kidney problems with Hamilton dedicating his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix to the late three-time World Champion. Hamilton arrived at Mercedes for the 2013 season and many credit Lauda with being the key to the now five-time World Champion's arrival.

Ross Brawn worked for Mercedes between 2010 and 2013 and he reflected on the process that brought Hamilton to the Silver Arrows.

"Our first common job was to bring Lewis Hamilton into the team. Niki was crucial in this process," Brawn said in an interview on F1i.com.

"I convinced Lewis, visit us, but it was Niki who persuaded the Mercedes board to give us the money for Lewis. 

"It turned out to be an important moment on the team’s current path."

Brawn also reflected on Lauda's approach, in general, adding: "I have to admit that he had a rather relentless approach and that there were many situations in which we clashed."