F1: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes dedicate record title double to Niki Lauda
Valtteri Bottas’s victory in Japan seals the championships for the Silver Arrows
Mercedes have dedicated their 2019 Formula 1 championship double to Niki Lauda, the team’s former non-executive chairman who died in May.
Valtteri Bottas’s victory and Lewis Hamilton’s third place at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday secured a record sixth successive title double for the Brackley outfit.
With the constructors’ championship confirmed, the result in Japan also meant that only Hamilton or Bottas can win the 2019 F1 drivers’ title.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Championship leader Hamilton, a five-time title winner, is 64 points ahead of Mercedes team-mate Bottas with four races remaining.
Speaking after the Japanese GP Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff paid tribute to Lauda, who was instrumental in the Silver Arrows’s recent success in F1.
Wolff said: “When we embarked on the journey six or seven years ago we wanted to win races more regularly and then fight for a championship - and now, six years later, we win our sixth championship in a row.
“We never thought this would be possible and I’m incredibly happy for everybody who has been a part of this journey.
“This sixth championship is a very special one - and we dedicate it to Niki. He has been such an important part from the beginning, and we all miss him dearly. I think about him every day and still find it hard to believe that he’s not here anymore; I keep thinking to myself ‘What would Niki say, what would he think?’.
“He probably would have said ‘congratulations for the sixth one, but you have a challenge on your hands for next year’. It was his way of making sure that we’re never complacent.
“[Sunday] has been an emotional rollercoaster; we were disappointed in the morning because we weren’t quick enough in qualifying. And now we’ve won the race and also both championships - which is still hard to fully grasp.”
Record breakers
After Mercedes became the first F1 team to win a record six consecutive double British driver Hamilton also paid tribute to Lauda.
“It definitely feels a little bit different,” said Hamilton. “I wouldn’t want to say I’m as happy as previously because we lost Niki this year and it doesn’t feel the same without him.
“Naturally I’m very, very proud of the team, very proud of everyone back at the factory and I know Niki would be taking off his hat for [Sunday’s] result.
“We owe him a huge amount and this win is really for him. I think the whole team, the whole of Mercedes would probably dedicate this win to Niki - I definitely do.”
Japanese GP race winner Bottas added: “Six double championships - every single team member at the race track and in the factories can be incredibly proud of this achievement.
“I think we don’t quite realise yet what an amazing achievement this is, but we’re making history in this sport. We’ve had a really good season so far and managed to make the most of our opportunities, especially in the beginning of the season.
“It’s amazing to think that we’ve just done something that’s never been done before - what a great day for all of us.”
Mexico up next
The next race will be the F1 Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday 27 October at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
There are only four races left in the 2019 season:
- 27 October: Mexican GP (7.10pm start UK time)
- 3 November: United States GP (7.10pm)
- 17 November: Brazilian GP (5.10pm)
- 1 December: Abu Dhabi GP (1.10pm)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is academic freedom in peril?
Today's Big Question Faculty punishments are on the rise
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published