Toto Wolff once highlighted what Niki Lauda brought to Mercedes meetings that no one else could

Niki Lauda played a pivotal role in shaping Mercedes during the early years of Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid era, with team principal Toto Wolff highlighting the qualities that made him so influential both behind the scenes and within the sport itself.

The Austrian stepped into the role of non-executive chairman midway through the 2012 season and quickly left his mark. It was Lauda’s influence that helped bring Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes that same year.

Hamilton went on to become one of Formula 1’s most dominant figures during his time with Mercedes, securing six drivers’ championships between 2014 and 2020.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Hamilton. The early part of his tenure with Mercedes was defined by an intense rivalry with Nico Rosberg, a friend from their karting days.

The two often clashed as they fought for supremacy within the team, though more often than not, Hamilton came out on top in those battles.

Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Desert Island Discs (via GP Fans), Wolff explained how much he relied on Lauda in tough moments:

“What you saw is what you got. And at times when I felt lonely or needed support as a person running an organisation, I could always talk to him,” he said.

When did Niki Lauda pass away?

The three-time world champion died just before half-way through the season after facing health complications due to having undergone a lung transplant during an already delicate recovery period. How Lauda’s racing background gave him unique authority at Mercedes

That rivalry often boiled over, and it was common for Wolff to lean on Lauda to help remove the emotion from discussions and reach a decision.