Bernie Ecclestone feels Mercedes have signed the right man in Lewis Hamilton
F1 ringmaster also approves of McLaren hiring Perez
Last Updated: October 26, 2012 12:13pm
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Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone feels Lewis Hamilton will act as an inpsiration to Mercedes next season when he joins the team.
The 2008 World Champion announced last month that he was ending his association with McLaren after 14 years, with Mercedes confirming the Briton as replacement for the retiring Michael Schumacher.
Mercedes have won just a single race - this season's Chinese Grand Prix - since returning to the sport in 2010 on a full-time basis but Ecclestone can only see positives for them despite having to fork out a reputed £20m per season for his services.
Ecclestone said: "I think it's good for Mercedes. If they are really going to get their act together they need someone like Lewis who is going to do a bit of inspiring for people that want to go and work there.
"Nobody wants to work for a team that doesn't look as if it is doing well, but now maybe they will.
"I think Lewis' name is a stamp of good housekeeping, which is what everyone expected of Michael."
Ecclestone, who celebrates his 82nd birthday on Sunday, also gave McLaren the thumbs-up for their signing of Sergio Perez, who comes in as Hamilton's replacement, adding: "I probably would have done what they have done."
Lewis Hamilton
