Lewis Hamilton Unveils Stunning Niki Lauda Tribute Helmet for Italian GP

Lewis Hamilton will pay tribute to the late Niki Lauda with a special one-off helmet design at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The striking yellow and white helmet marks the 50th anniversary of Lauda's first F1 Drivers' Championship.

Why it matters: Niki Lauda, a three-time F1 World Champion and former Mercedes chairman, was a pivotal figure in motorsport history and a close mentor to Hamilton. This tribute underscores Lauda's enduring legacy and his significant impact on the sport and Hamilton's career.

The big picture:

• Lauda's first F1 title, won 50 years ago, was achieved with Ferrari, who are also celebrating the milestone with a special livery at Monza.
• Hamilton and Lauda shared a close relationship during Lauda's tenure as non-executive chairman at Mercedes before his passing in 2019.

What's next: Hamilton faces a challenging weekend at the 'Temple of Speed'. He will start Ferrari's home grand prix with a five-place grid penalty.

• The penalty stems from a double-yellow flag infringement at last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, where he later crashed out.
• Despite the setback, Hamilton's visual homage to Lauda is expected to be a key talking point throughout the Monza weekend.