Toto Wolff, Gerhard Berger, and Helmut Marko Honored at NIKI Awards 2025

Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff received a Special Award at the NIKI Awards gala in Vienna, an event named after three-time Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda. Fellow Austrian F1 legends Gerhard Berger and Helmut Marko were also recognized at the prestigious ceremony, celebrating Austria's top sports figures.

Why it matters:

Named in honor of the legendary Niki Lauda, these awards celebrate excellence in Austrian sports, with a notable emphasis on figures who have shaped Formula 1. Toto Wolff's recognition underscores his profound influence on modern F1, particularly his close relationship and shared success with Lauda at Mercedes, while the acknowledgment of Berger and Marko highlights their enduring contributions to the sport. The ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of Lauda's legacy and the strong Austrian presence in F1.

The Details:

• Event and Honorees: The NIKI Awards were presented at the Lotteries Sports Aid Gala in Vienna, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
• Recipients: Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 team principal; Gerhard Berger, former F1 driver and team manager; and Helmut Marko, Red Bull motorsport advisor, all received special recognition.
• Presenters: Lauda's sons, Mathias and Lukas, presented the awards, adding a personal touch to the tribute.
• Other Winners: The gala also honored Austria's best sportspeople from the past year, including ski jumper Daniel Tschofenig, ski racer Stephanie Venier, and tennis player Lilli Tagger.
• Past Laureates: Previous notable recipients include tennis star Dominic Thiem and actor/former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, showcasing the breadth of athletic achievement celebrated.

Between the lines:

Toto Wolff's bond with Niki Lauda was instrumental in Mercedes' dominant F1 era. Lauda, who served as non-executive chairman and co-owner of Mercedes from 2012 until his passing in 2019, was a close friend and confidant to Wolff. Wolff shared a touching anecdote, recalling Lauda's unique way of expressing friendship: "He said he had no friends - he always said that. But he said if there was such a thing as a half friend, then I was it." This sentiment, shared during a flight from Suzuka, resonated deeply with Wolff, highlighting the depth of their relationship and mutual respect.

Looking Ahead:

The NIKI Awards continue to honor both established legends and rising stars in Austrian sports, ensuring that the legacy of figures like Niki Lauda lives on. For the F1 community, it serves as a moment to reflect on the significant impact these individuals have had, and continue to have, on the sport. As F1 evolves, the values of resilience, determination, and camaraderie embodied by Lauda and his peers remain a guiding force, inspiring future generations in motorsports.