Lauda to be buried in racing overalls

Niki Lauda will be buried in his racing overalls, the German news source Nachrichten claims.

The Monaco GP weekend has become all about the F1 legend, who died late on Monday after a 2018 lung transplant.

Many teams have modified their liveries in tribute to the former Mercedes team chairman, and a minute’s silence will be observed prior to Sunday’s race.

Italian politician Paolo Grimoldi has even proposed officially that Lauda’s name be added to the official name of the Monza circuit.

"Lauda became a legend at Monza in 1976, having heroically finished fourth just six weeks after his terrible accident," he said.

The pastor in Vienna who will oversee Lauda’s funeral on Wednesday confirmed the rumours about the 70-year-old being buried in his racing overalls.

Sebastian Vettel’s helmet is painted in Lauda’s distinctive red in Monaco, as the F1 purest lamented the loss of one of the last real characters in the paddock.

"There are too many people who are not what they show themselves to be on TV," the DPA news agency quotes Vettel as saying. "And their numbers are rising fast."

He is referring to the paddock absence of true characters like Charlie Whiting, Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis, Flavio Briatore and Max Mosley.

"They are missing from Formula 1 and will not be replaced," Vettel said.