Mercedes’ Lauda says Hamilton staying at McLaren

Niki Lauda dropped a big hint on Tuesday about Lewis Hamilton’s future.

24 hours ago, the Telegraph reported that the Austrian great is working for Mercedes to convince the 2008 world champion to leave McLaren.

The report said the 63-year-old triple world champion Lauda would be "offered a senior role at Mercedes" if he is able to lure Hamilton to the German carmaker’s Brackley based squad.

But other British newspapers are reporting that McLaren has finally upped its monetary offer to match or better Mercedes’ deal.

And on Tuesday, Lauda told F1’s official website: "Hamilton will stay with McLaren."

As for Mercedes, "I have no idea what they are up to", Lauda added.

The former Ferrari and McLaren champion also admitted he thinks Felipe Massa is set to stay alongside Fernando Alonso in 2013.

"I don’t see any mouth-watering switch being made," Lauda said.