Toto Wolff: I often think of Niki Lauda

Of the Mercedes drivers, only Lewis Hamilton finished Friday’s practice in the top ten with a 4th fastest time, while his teammate, George Russell, was ten lines down. After the second session, team leader Toto Wolff commented on the results of the first day of the Dutch weekend, but the conversation with him was not just about that…

Toto Wolff: “While the results from the first session were slightly better, what we are seeing is at least generally encouraging. George Russell was also quite competitive on the Medium compound tyres, but when he switched to soft rubber, this was no longer the case. Although I would not exaggerate the significance of the results of training, and everything will become clear only tomorrow.

In general, I’m in no hurry to compare the results of our riders, it’s better to see how everything will go this weekend, in Monza and maybe in Singapore. These are three completely different tracks, and the information collected will allow us to conclude to what extent the latest technical innovations have influenced the balance of the results.”

August 25, 1985, ie exactly 38 years ago, Niki Lauda won the Dutch Grand Prix – it was the last victory of the legendary Austrian in Formula 1, and when Wolff was reminded of this, he said: “I think it’s Niki himself now completely it was like that for a long time, of course we all know he was a great driver and also a great leader.

Every day I remember Nicky in different situations, and a few days ago I saw his yacht – it was the last yacht that belonged to him. I didn’t know who it belongs to now, or where it is now, and suddenly I see it’s here in Zandvoort! I immediately remembered that it was on her plate that Nicky and I were the last time when everything was still good. That’s why I often think of him.”