Mercedes staff principal and CEO Toto Wolff was recognised on the NIKI Awards gala, named after three-time System 1 champion Niki Lauda, on Wednesday 8 October, as he acquired the Particular Award.
Becoming a member of Wolff in receiving the distinguished award, which was introduced by Lauda’s sons Mathias and Lukas, have been fellow Austrians Gerhard Berger and Helmut Marko.
The awards on the Lotteries Sports activities Assist Gala within the Vienna Stadthalle honour Austria’s finest sportspeople from the final 12 months. Different 2025 winners included ski jumper Daniel Tschofenig, ski racer Stephanie Venier and tennis participant Lilli Tagger. Earlier winners have included former tennis participant Dominic Thiem and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Wolff had an in depth relationship with Lauda as the previous Ferrari driver served because the non-executive chairman and co-owner of Mercedes after his retirement from racing, from 2012 till his loss of life in 2019.
“Niki would by no means complain. He simply received on with issues,” Wolff defined in a tribute on what would have been Lauda’s 76th birthday in February 2025. “He was only a nice man. He had great resilience and willpower and that stored him going. I used to be fortunate to name him considered one of my finest pals.
“We travelled collectively, we spent limitless hours within the airplane, and he was tremendous useful to our success. He was a sparring accomplice, such a powerful chairman and we dearly miss him.
Toto Wolff, Govt Director Mercedes AMG F1, Niki Lauda, Non-Govt Chairman, Mercedes AMG F1, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG F1
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photographs
“My favorite reminiscence got here one 12 months once we have been getting back from Suzuka, simply him and I. He mentioned he wished to inform me one thing. He stopped for a second, and I believed wow, Niki is getting emotional.
“He mentioned he had no pals – he at all times mentioned that. However he mentioned if there was such a factor as a half buddy, then I used to be it.
“He was virtually teary, nevertheless it was the most effective remark I acquired from Niki in all our years working collectively. It meant that we have been pals.”
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