THAT’S FOR YOU, NIKI
HAMILTON TRIBUTE TO LEGEND LAUDA AFTER MONACO MASTERCLASS
LEWIS HAMILTON fought to victory in the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday — and dedicated his triumph to Niki Lauda. Hamilton pointed to Lauda’s name, which graced the back of his one-off red helmet, after he had fended off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to claim his third win on Monte Carlo’s streets. Lauda, Mercedes’ non-executive chairman, died last Monday aged 70. Hamilton, whose team all wore red caps in tribute, confirmed he will attend Lauda’s funeral on Wednesday and said: ‘I definitely felt like Niki was racing with me. That was for you, Niki. I know he was looking down and taking his hat off to us. It’s been such a hard week, emotionally. I just wanted to deliver for Niki.’
LEWIS HamIlton hailed the spirit of niki lauda for guiding him to a nail-biting win in the miracle of monte Carlo.
the Briton’s victory with one of his great defensive drives, holding off the relentless hounding of max Verstappen, was the most fitting result six days after lauda died aged 70.
‘a drive from a world champion to a world champion who is no longer with us,’ said Hamilton’s mercedes team principal toto Wolff as the champagne was sprayed.
the day was steeped in poignancy with Hamilton wearing a retro helmet with lauda’s name on it and the grid full of red caps — just like the one lauda wore ubiquitously to hide the worst of the facial scarring he suffered when he was pulled out of his burning Ferrari 43 years ago.
on the podium Hamilton drifted in and out of a reverie, thinking of lauda, mercedes’ non-executive chairman who played an important role in bringing him to the
team, where he has 56 of his 77 race wins in a car equal to his gifts.
‘that was for you, niki,’ said Hamilton, who extended his championship lead to 17 points. ‘Your fighting spirit was right with me every step of the way.
‘ He has been an influential person in the team. I know you are looking down and taking your hat off to us. I wanted to stay focused and make him proud. I miss you, we truly miss you.
‘that was the hardest race I have had. the biggest challenge I have ever had.
‘It has been such a hard week emotionally. When I was driving, I was like: “What would niki do?”
‘It is incredible to see how much support there was for him. as a driver, my goal one day is to be respected as he was. He was a hero to so many. I hope we did you proud today, legend.
‘I cannot wait to give my dad a call and see what he made of it. I am sure I will get a chance to speak to niki’s wife Birgit after the race, too, to let her know how much I appreciate her support. She kept us connected.’
Yesterday, Hamilton’s Silver arrow was reduced in its effectiveness by the rare strategic error inflicted upon him by the pit boffins. they put him on the medium tyres rather than the more durable harder ones, leaving him with horribly worn rubber as Verstappen breathed hot air on his neck for the best part of 70 laps.
Cue multiple palpitations at mercedes and not least in Hamilton’s cockpit.
In an ever increasing state of anxiety, Hamilton was in regular touch with his engineers.
‘I think I’m in trouble guys — the left front is dead.’ then: ‘We’re going to lose this race Bono (Peter Bonnington, race engineer). I can’t look after these tyres. I can’t keep the car behind.
‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, keeping these tyres on man. You need to hope for a miracle.’
James Vowles, the chief strategist, took the unusual step of coming on to the radio to tell Hamilton what Bonnington had tried to convince him of before, namely: ‘You can do it, lewis. We trust in you.’
Some 15 hard, worrying laps remained. But Hamilton kept at it, withstanding a desperate late surge by Verstappen.
the Dutchman tore out of the tunnel and tried to pass at the chicane.
Verstappen’s right front wheel touched Hamilton’s rear left. But Hamilton was away, undamaged, his front-running determination rewarded with his second victory here, following triumphs in 2008 and 2016.
‘ I don’t know how I did it,’ added Hamilton, who is now 17 points clear of team- mate Valtteri Bottas.
‘there were so many opportunities to make mistakes, so many opportunities to give up and so many opportunities to make excuses.
‘I was like, “I am not letting go”. I was holding on for dear life. I will have a glass of wine, or maybe a few, to celebrate.’
When the band in the white uniforms with ostrich feathers on their hats had played the national anthems, Hamilton took the champagne off the podium, away from Prince albert, and down to the tarmac below. He chased his old team-mate nico Rosberg, doing work for tV, and then sprayed it all over his team members, including Wolff.
Hamilton then back-flopped into the swimming pool. Just he and a can of energy drink bobbed along the water.
It was a carefree end to an afternoon that had started so well when he made a clean start from pole, a golden advantage here.
although Verstappen was only fractions of a second behind Hamilton, he was handicapped by
LEWIS HAMILTON ‘That was for you, Niki. Your fighting spirit was right there with me every step of the way. I know you are looking down and taking your hat off to us. I miss you, we truly miss you and I hope we did you proud today, legend.’
a five-second penalty hanging over him for an unsafe release from the pits. Had he passed the race leader, he still may not have been awarded the victory.
Once the maths were done, Sebastian Vettel was promoted to second for Ferrari and Bottas to third in the other Mercedes. Verstappen was fourth.
‘We are not where we want to be,’ admitted Vettel of his team, who had Charles Leclerc retire from his home race after they messed up his qualifying chances on Saturday.
‘ The pace is not there. We tumbled into second place.’
Hamilton pointed to his dead hero’s name on his head in homage. Vettel also wore a helmet honouring Lauda, triple world champion and the winner here in 1975 and 1976.
Hamilton and Vettel embraced, their helmets close. Niki Lauda was first and second yesterday.