Mercedes renames the road at the team’s factory in Brackley as ‘Lauda Drive’ in honor of the late F1 champion, Niki Lauda

Mercedes renames the road at the team’s factory in Brackley as ‘Lauda Drive’ in honor of the late F1 champion, Niki Lauda

In memory of Niki Lauda, Mercedes renames Brackley road to 'Lauda Drive'

Niki Lauda was one of the most fierce drivers in Formula 1. The Austrian won three world titles in the sport, and even recovered from a horrifying crash during the 1976 German Grand Prix, suffering severe burns and injuries. Lauda after his retirement went to the management side of the sport, being part of the unsuccessful Jaguar endeavor before joining the Mercedes F1 team. Niki is credited for convincing Lewis Hamilton to join the Silver Arrows and such for the 37-year-old’s 6 world titles.

Niki Lauda passed away on 20 May 2019 at the age of 70. His legacy however shall always go on. And in this honor, Mercedes has renamed the road leading up to the team’s facility in Brackley as ‘Lauda Drive,’ a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable driver and personality. The sign was put up on 30 November, with Team Principal Toto Wolff giving an emotional few words in memory of the Austrian champion.

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Niki’s time in Formula 1 changed the sport forever

The Silver Arrows posted a picture of Toto holding Niki’s famous red cap on the Lauda Drive sign, they say a picture can speak a thousand words and this one stands true to it. It not only expresses the emotional connection the team still has with Niki, the person who played a major role in the Mercedes domination in the hybrid era but also is enough to make any fan shed a tear for the loss of someone who truly was special, who had got so close to death but came back within weeks to that same coffin-on-wheels to win a championship.

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The Mercedes F1 team and the fans will always remember Niki Lauda

The unveiling of the sign was attended by the Mercedes team staff

Niki was one of the chief architects of Mercedes’s success in the sport, back when the team was struggling to win races after a couple of dismal first years between 2010-2012, it was the Austrian who convinced Lewis Hamilton to jump ships from a McLaren team which was winning multiple races each season. Even Hamilton has stated the lack of faith most of the paddock had in his move, but then came the F1 hybrid era in 2014, and the rest as we know is history.

Lauda was an icon for the sport and even drivers, with virtually every driver respecting the three-time world champion. After his tragic death, the Silver Arrows honored the Austrian with a red star on the cars for every season since. Niki stood side-by-side with Toto Wolff whenever the team had a problem, with the pair finding a way out. The Austrian was harsh when he needed to be but as a wise man, he knew what was best for the team and drivers.

Records may be broken constantly, but you cannot remove one’s legacy, Niki Lauda was one of the bravest drivers the sport has ever seen. He earned respect from his rivals due to his sheer determination to win. Lauda will always be remembered for his stellar drives and of course his rivalry against James Hunt, but above all, he will stay in the memory of the whole paddock for his personality. As Mercedes gives this fitting tribute to the late world champion, it is a bitter-sweet feeling remembering the loss of an amazing driver and human being.

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