Toto Wolff joined in Lewis Hamilton in dedicating Mercedes sixth consecutive F1 constructors’ championship win to Niki Lauda.
Mercedes managed to beat Ferrari after a shocking qualifying in F1 Japanese GP at Suzuka to clinch their sixth consecutive constructors’ championship due to Valtteri Bottas’ win and Hamilton’s third place. The difference was the one point he took for fastest lap.
Hamilton, who has been part of all the sixth titles, was emotional after the victory in dedicating it to Lauda. “It definitely feels a little bit different,” said Hamilton. “I wouldn’t say as happy as previously because naturally we lost Niki [Lauda] this year.
“It doesn’t feel the same without him. So, naturally, I’m very, very proud of the team and very proud of everyone back at the factory, and I know Niki would be taking off his hat for today’s result.” The Austrian has been instrumental in the success of the team.
After Ross Brawn’s efforts, Lauda negotiated with Hamilton to eventually sign up with the team. He has been one of the key personnel for Mercedes’ success and sadly passed away in May this year in a big grief to everyone in the paddock.
“I think we owe him a huge amount and this win is really for him,” added Hamilton. “The whole team and the whole of Mercedes will probably dedicate this to Niki. I definitely do. Very, very proud to be a part of it, and a part of the journey.
“It has been a difficult, a tough year for us. Every time I walk into the garage, I see Niki’s headphones and his cap. I sat, and I looked at it in Japan before I got in the car. As I said, I know he’ll be proud; I know his family will be as well. The team should be proud too.”
The team celebrated at Suzuka with the famous red cap of Lauda in the center. Mercedes team principal and close friend/associate Wolff echoed Hamilton’s sentiments. “This sixth championship is a very special one – and we dedicate it to Niki [Lauda],” he said.
“He has been such an important part from the beginning, and we all miss him dearly. I think about him every day and still find it hard to believe that he’s not here anymore; I keep thinking to myself ‘what would Niki say, what would he think?’
“And with the victory, he probably would have said ‘Congratulations for the sixth one, but you have a challenge on your hands for next year’. It was his way of making sure that we’re never complacent. It has been an emotional rollercoaster.”
Along with the celebrations at Suzuka, the whole of team at Brackley – being looked on by James Allison – and also the team at Brixworth took equal part. Mercedes/Daimler AG’s board member Markus Schafer congratulated the whole team as well.
“Niki's been such an important part of the journey and his sheer presence was always so important… He was just a very special person“ – Toto
❤️#ATeamComeTrue pic.twitter.com/SWzLl1dxF8
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) October 13, 2019
Here’s how the F1 Japanese GP panned out
Sebastian Vettel on his mistake and FIA’s clarification
Valtteri Bottas admits about concerns he had of Lewis Hamilton not pitting
Robert Kubica felt let down by Williams in Japanese GP
Charles Leclerc accepted blame for Turn 2 incident
The story was written by Venkatesh P Koushik and edited by Darshan Chokhani