Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the death of triple world champion Niki Lauda had stripped Formula One of its heart and soul, leaving him feeling "like a zombie" and struggling to contain his emotions.
Speaking to reporters in the champions' harbourside hospitality at the Monaco Grand Prix on Thursday, Wolff paid tribute to his fellow Austrian and gave an insight into the team's state of mind ahead of one of the most watched races of the year.
"As you can imagine, this is very difficult. Very difficult for the team, for all of us and most importantly very difficult as a friend," he said.