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Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says the passing of his colleague Niki Lauda has left a void in the sport.
Lauda died on Monday evening at the age of 70, following months of health problems that kept him away from the F1 paddock.
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Lauda has worked with the Mercedes F1 team over the last number of years, playing a vital role in shaping it into the world championship winning outfit it is now.
"First of all, on behalf of the team and all at Mercedes, I wish to send our deepest condolences to Birgit, Niki's children, his family and close friends,” said Wolff.
"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 1. We haven't just lost a hero who staged the most remarkable comeback ever seen, but also a man who brought precious clarity and candour to modern Formula 1."
Wolff added that Lauda offered the Silver Arrows a "voice of common sense", and that there will be no way to replace the Austrian at the team.
"He will be greatly missed as our voice of common sense," Wolff said. "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. It was a privilege to count him among our team and moving to witness just how much it meant to him to be part of the team's success.
"Whenever he walked the floor in Brackley and Brixworth, or delivered one of his famous motivational speeches, he brought an energy that nobody else could replicate.
"Niki, you are quite simple irreplaceable, there will never be another like you. It was our honour to call you our Chairman - and my privilege to call you my friend."
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