Gary Paffett says he 'does not understand' why Lewis Hamilton moved from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 season, admitting that he is confused by the 2008 World Champion's decision. Hamilton, whose replacement is Mexico's Sergio Pérez, signed a three-year agreement with the Silver Arrows in September of last year.
"Some drivers move for their own certain reasons," Paffett, the 2005 DTM Champion, explained at the Autosport Show. "I think a few of the times they move people don't understand it and I don't understand this one. I don't understand why he moved.
"I knew Lewis very well, I used to kart with him when he was ten years old. Lewis has solely been focused on winning, that is his aim.
"He wants to break records, he wants to win the most championships, win the most races and I see his best place to do that at McLaren. But obviously he wasn't comfortable there anymore or he fancied a new challenge."
Looking ahead to the new season, Paffett is adamant that although Mercedes has been 'putting a lot of effort' into its Formula 1 programme, McLaren would have been the better team for Hamilton to further his on-track success.
"Mercedes are a big manufacturer and they are putting a lot of effort into their F1 team," Paffett began to summarise. "I'm sure they will get better, but I don't think this year Lewis is going to be in a better position than he would be with McLaren. But Lewis has is own reasons for what he's doing and I wish him luck with that."
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