Lewis Hamilton urges `great boss` Brawn to stay at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton Thursday urged Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn to stay with the Formula One team as speculation mounts over his future.

Team chairman Niki Lauda has rejected reports that Brawn has decided to take up a role with Honda, saying talks are in progress aimed at keeping the 58-year-old. "He`s a great boss," Hamilton told reporters at Suzuka on Thursday. "I enjoy working with him. I don`t know what his plans are for the future but I`d like him to stay." Hamilton, world champion with McLaren in 2008, credited Brawn for helping him decide to move to Mercedes for the start of the current season. "We had some really good conversations when we sat together before I made my decision," said the Briton, who won in Hungary earlier this year. "He took me through where the team was going and was very influential in bringing me to the team." Hamilton added: "Ross is a very friendly guy. I grew up watching him on TV and so I had an idea what he was like. He`s a very easy-going guy, very approachable, and he`s very much responsible for the atmosphere in the team." Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg echoed Hamilton`s sentiments. "It would be great if he stays because I get on well with him and I think he`s a great team principal," said the German, adding that Mercedes would survive Brawn`s departure. "At the same time I have confidence in the team leadership`s ability to make sure we have a solid future whatever his decision is, because we have a lot of great strength in the team as it is now." Rosberg said Brawn had played a decisive role in turning Mercedes into a winning team again, saying: "The mentality he brings to the team is very strong -- and his general competence of course." Paddock rumours have linked Brawn with a move at the end of this season to Honda, who will provide engines to McLaren from 2015. Brawn also oversaw Honda`s last foray into Formula One, eventually buying out the Japanese manufacturer to form Brawn GP in 2009 and win the world title with Jenson Button.