Toto Wolff pays homage to "irreplaceable hero" Lauda

Earlier this morning the tragic news was announced that three-time world champion Niki Lauda had passed away at the age of 70. It was confirmed by Lauda’s family that he had passed nine months after undergoing a lung transplant. Lauda took a three-year break from F1 at the end of 1979 in order to focus on his commercial interests, but returned in 1982 with McLaren, going on to win a third and final world title in 1984. He remained a regular figure in the paddock for another three decades following his retirement in 1985, most recently enjoying a non-executive role with Mercedes during its recent dominance of F1. Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has paid tribute to the late Niki Lauda, saying the Austrian was "irreplaceable" and a "hero". "First of all, on behalf of the team and all at Mercedes, I wish to send our deepest condolences to Birgit, Niki's children, his family and close friends," said Wolff in a statement sent by Mercedes. "Niki will always remain one of the greatest legends of our sport - he combined heroism, humanity and honesty inside and outside the cockpit. His passing leaves a void in Formula 1. We haven't just lost a hero who staged the most remarkable comeback ever seen, but also a man who brought precious clarity and candour to modern Formula 1. He will be greatly missed as our voice of common sense. "Our Mercedes team has also lost a guiding light. As a teammate over the past six and a half years, Niki was always brutally honest - and utterly loyal. It was a privilege to count him among our team and moving to witness just how much it meant to him to be part of the team's success. Whenever he walked the floor in Brackley and Brixworth, or delivered one of his famous motivational speeches, he brought an energy that nobody else could replicate. Niki, you are quite simple irreplaceable, there will never be another like you. It was our honour to call you our Chairman - and my privilege to call you my friend."

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