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MONZA, ITALY: Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda talks with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff in the Pitlane during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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MONZA, ITALY: Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda talks with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff in the Pitlane during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Niki Lauda was an important presence in the Mercedes garage. He had developed a good relationship with everyone at the team, and Team Principal Toto Wolff shared a special friendship with the late Mercedes advisor. Just like his friendship with the three-time world champion, Wolff shares a special bond with Niki’s son, Mathias.
In an interview with Servus TV, the Mercedes team boss recalled how Mathias was the first one to see that Susie and Toto had a connection. He also opened up about the impact Mathias has on his life and how important he is to Wolff.
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Mathias was the first to notice that Susie and me are sympathetic: Toto Wolff
As reported by Motorsport-Total, Wolff, while talking about the bond he shares with Mathias Lauda, Niki‘s son, said, “We have known each other for a while, of course.” (Translated via Google Translate)
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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 09: Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP gets a hug from Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, and is congratulated by Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff after winning the race and the Mercedes GP team winning the constructors championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 9, 2016 in Suzuka. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“I followed Matthias’ career live from the early days and then, of course, in the DTM. In the end, I think he was the first to notice that Susie and me are sympathetic,” said Wolff.
Recalling the incident, Mathias stated,” That was at the presentation in Düsseldorf. I noticed that straight away.” Mathias and Susie, Toto’s wife, were teammates in DTM for two years.
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Mercedes to keep the red star to pay homage to Lauda
At Monaco Grand Prix 2019, Mercedes added a red star on their livery to pay tributes to Niki Lauda. The German team have kept the red star on their car, hoping to immortalize the late advisor of Mercedes.
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AUSTIN, TX – Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Great Britain and Niki Lauda of Germany and Mercedes during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Peter J Fox/Getty Images)
Toto Wolff has stated that Mercedes will keep the Lauda star on their livery forever. “Of course, there are marketing experts here who think it’s not corporate identity, a red star, it has to be silver.
“The red star will always be on every Mercedes racing car in Formula 1,” said Wolff.
To see the German team carrying Lauda with them everywhere is emotional, and even more so for Niki’s son. He said, “It’s a huge honor for us. It’s great that he is still on board.”
