Formula One drivers and teams of past and present have paid tribute to three-time world champion, Niki Lauda as the sport marks the first anniversary of his death.
Mercedes were amongst the first to lead the tributes as they described Lauda as ‘our friend’ and that ‘there would never be another like you.’ after the Austrian served as their chairman from September 2012 until his death.
One year ago today we lost one of the greatest legends of our sport. Niki combined heroism, humanity and honesty inside and outside the cockpit. He was our Chairman. He was our friend. There will never be another like you. Niki, we miss you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XyYDuAyg4w
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 20, 2020
Current champion and the first driver which Lauda signed upon taking up his role with the Silver Arrows – Lewis Hamilton, simply retweeted Mercedes’ tweet with the following message.
We miss you Niki ♥️ https://t.co/8IjvDgLzcX
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 20, 2020
2016 champion, Nico Rosberg also paid a tribute of his own in which he spoke of how ‘lucky’ he was to call Lauda a friend.
…was so lucky to call you my friend.
Wir vermissen dich, Niki ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dp2i6fWXNy
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) May 20, 2020
Ferrari paid a lovely tribute as they described Lauda as ‘Forever in our hearts,’ having guided the Austrian to two of his three titles in 1975 and 77.
Forever in our hearts, Niki ❤️#essereFerrari 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JyO0mR78BS
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 20, 2020
Lauda then went on to win the last of his three titles with McLaren in 1984 after a two season sabbatical in early 80s. with the British team posting a picture of him in his McLaren overalls on Twitter this morning.
Remembering our friend, colleague and 1984 World Champion, Niki Lauda.
1949 – 2019 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bbSYlK57ET
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 20, 20
Lauda ultimately had a huge impact on fellow F1 teams up and down the pitlane, with several midfield teams plus Red Bull also paying tribute to someone who was affectionately known as ‘The Rat’ during his racing career.
Remembering Niki. A champion. A legend. A friend. ❤️ #DankeNiki pic.twitter.com/IYM7Xn83u7
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 20, 2020
Remembering the great Niki Lauda a year on from his passing. A true legend of our sport and an inspiration to many 🙏#DankeNiki ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0Cdc1Skwe6
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) May 20, 2020
Your legacy will forever live on.
Danke Niki. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uz1jjB6vFw
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) May 20, 2020
A true racing icon and a legend of the sport. Remembering Niki, one year on from his untimely passing ❤️#DankeNiki pic.twitter.com/evTJ6McUni
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 20, 2020
Carlos Sainz retweeted McLaren’s tweet with just one word which sums up Lauda’s impact upon F1.
Legend! https://t.co/Sad422BKfM
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) May 20, 2020
F1 itself paid what could arguably be the perfect tribute in describing Lauda as a ‘true warrior’ which is something that summed up his spirt, especially after coming from a horrific crash at the Nürburgring in 1976 German Grand Prix.
A true warrior who will live forever in our hearts and our memories#DankeNiki ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qhx1acvJww
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 20, 2020
Mercedes meanwhile added a red star to its car in tribute at last year’s Monaco GP of which it has stayed ever since, because Lauda will always be one of F1’s brightest stars in the sky.
Our brightest star in the sky 🌟#DankeNiki pic.twitter.com/up1xVDY0gl
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 20, 2020
Sport organisation, Laureus paid their own tribute by posting Lauda’s acceptance speech from when he won lifetime achievement award in 2016.
On the day we celebrate the life of a special man, we are reminded of this inspirational speech…
In 2016 Niki Lauda was honoured with the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award and his acceptance speech said everything…
“I’d like to dedicate this award to the losers.” ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EoH7KiGoXS
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 20, 2020
Finally, Lauda also provided one of the sport’s best rivalries against James Hunt, so to discover why their rivalry featured in our top five F1 rivalries, please click here.
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