Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost among the mourners at ceremony ahead of Niki Lauda’s funeral
Photo: Rex
Formula 1 drivers have gathered at a Mass to commemorate Niki Lauda, the three-time world champion who died last week.
Lauda’s contemporary racers including Sir Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost and Gerhard Berger, attended.
Mercedes F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and 2016 champion Nico Rosberg were also present.
Lewis Hamilton Photo: Rex
Lauda was non-executive chairman of the Mercedes Formula 1 team until his death, last week. Toto Wolff, the team principal, accompanied the Austrian’s children and widow, Birgit, as they arrived at the service in St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria.
While mourners were gathering in Austria, Mercedes released a video showing Lauda’s team-mates paying tribute to the champion.
Inside the cathedral, Lauda’s family placed his distinctive red helmet on his coffin.
Ahead of the ceremony, Toni Faber, the priest conducting the service, said: “He was an unpretentious, humble, shining star among the racing drivers. He had a sense of humour, was true-to-life, target-oriented and no-nonsense.”
More
As well as figures from the world of F1, guests included Daniel Brühl, who portrayed Lauda in the film Rush, which depicted Lauda’s 1976 championship duel with James Hunt.
Prominent Austrian attendees included former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, singer Andreas Gabalier and Austrian-born actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Toto Wolff with Lauda’s children, his widow, Birgit and Lewis Hamilton Photo: Rex
Hamilton won last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix wearing a helmet inspired by Lauda’s own. He dedicated the victory to Lauda, saying: “I really was fighting with the spirit of Niki. He’s been such an influence in our team and I know he will be looking down and taking his hat off.
The mass is followed by a private funeral.
Round 6 of the 2025 Formula 1 season takes us to the Miami International Autodrome, Florida. These are all the dates, start times and sessions you need to know about
This week Formula 1 returns to Miami, a venue where McLaren began to reap the regards of its transformation into championship contender after years of falling short
A Brawn GP F1 car – one of just three, and once owned by Jenson Button – is going up for auction this weekend at the Miami GP
In 1975, Lella Lombardi was the last — and only — woman F1 driver to finish in the points. 50 years on and we're nowhere near seeing another, says Katy Fairman. In fact, progress seems to have reversed