The loss of Niki Lauda is a massive blow to everyone in the Mercedes camp - primarily, of course, on a personal level. The legendary Austrian was a close friend and colleague, as team boss Toto Wolff has made clear.

But his death also robs Mercedes of someone who played a significant role in shaping the hugely successful team that we know today and, more importantly, in ensuring that level of success has been sustained into what is now a six-season period.