Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has paid an emotional tribute to Niki Lauda following his death this week.
The Austrian triple Formula 1 world champion lost a long battle with illness at the age of 70, having been absent from the paddock for almost a year.
Since 2012, Lauda had been working with Wolff at Mercedes in the role of non-executive chairman and admits racing this weekend is not “easy”.
“This is very difficult for the team. For everyone. It is also difficult as a friend. It is not an easy situation to return to the circuit of Monaco, especially if you are emotional about the death of a friend,” he said this week.
“Formula 1 has lost its biggest icon. We have been missing Niki since the end of last year. It is strange for me not to talk to him anymore and not to appear after the weekend. We want people to respect our emotions.”
The sport will pay its respects to Lauda before Sunday’s race in Monte Carlo with a minute’s silence and drivers will be given red caps, something he became synonymous with.
Other tributes are being paid through livery tweaks and Sebastian Vettel is using a helmet design based on that used by Niki at Ferrari.
In concluding his remarks, Wolff reminisced on the working relationship he had with Lauda.
“We have all had our special moments with Niki, I had the privilege of having an intensive time with Niki for the last six years,” he said.
“The operation he had always had the chance it would not end well. In the winter he made steps forward, I called and applauded him a lot. The last time after the Baku Grand Prix, I will not forget that.
“It is very hard for me not to talk to him anymore. He was my friend and co-owner. He always came here with his red bag and I’m going to miss that.”
