Mercedes kept the memory of Niki Lauda going strong at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. Lauda, who died in May 2019 aged 70, is regarded as one of the legends of the sport. The Austrian won three F1 world titles, and is the only driver in history to have been champion for both Ferrari and McLaren.
Having served in different roles with the Scuderia and the Jaguar post-career, in September 2012 he was appointed non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team. One of his most telling contributions was taking part in negotiations to sign Lewis Hamilton to a three-year deal in 2013.
The same year that Lauda passed, Hamilton poignantly went on to win a sixth world title, and duly made it seven the following season. After his 2019 success he said: “I miss Niki so much. I know today he will be taking his cap off. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without Niki. He’s here with us in spirit.”
Sure enough, it seems Lauda’s legacy still burns brightly at the garage of the Silver Arrows. On Reddit, u/99Sermon posted a picture of the icon’s cap over a pair of headphones, with his name on a plaque below. The items were stationed next to the headphones of Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff.
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