LEWIS CAR TO HONOUR NIKI AT MONACO RACE

THE Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will lead the tributes to Niki Lauda at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Sportsmail understands the Silver Arrows will carry words and a graphic on their livery. Formula one bosses are also considering ways to mark his death. A minute’s silence prior to the blue riband race is a strong possibility. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff yesterday addressed staff at their Northamptonshire factory. Lauda was the team’s nonexecutive chairman from 2012 and instrumental in convincing Hamilton to join. Wolff said: ‘I wish to send our deepest condolences to (wife) Birgit, Niki’s children, his family and close friends. ‘Niki will always remain one of the greatest legends of our sport — he combined heroism, humanity and honesty inside and outside the cockpit. His passing leaves a void in Formula one. ‘We haven’t just lost a hero who staged the most remarkable comeback ever seen but also a man who brought clarity and candour to modern Formula one. ‘our Mercedes team has also lost a guiding light. As a team-mate over the past six and a half years, Niki was always brutally honest and utterly loyal.’ Hamilton, who has won four drivers’ titles with Mercedes, is understood to have been in touch with Lauda’s family. McLaren, where Lauda won his third world championship in 1984, held a minute’s silence at their Woking factory.