Niki Lauda claims Lewis Hamilton trashed a hospitality room in Baku and subsequently lied about his relationship with Rosberg.

The Austrian, winner of three world championship titles and now non-executive chairman at Mercedes, made the admission on Red Bull's 'Sport & Talk' show for the Servus TV which was recorded last Friday as the Spielberg weekend got underway but broadcast last night (Monday).

Lauda, who was joined in the studio by Red Bull F1 Consultant Helmet Marko and Swiss journalist Roger Benoit, claimed that following a frustrating weekend in Baku, where the Briton, having crashed in qualifying, necessitating that he start the race from the fifth row, eventually finishing fifth, whilst Rosberg won and re-established a 24 point lead, was becoming sick to death at being asked about his relationship with the German.

According to Lauda, Hamilton subsequently made the claim that the relationship with Rosberg was "really, really good" in a bid to end the questions and also appear to be the 'peace maker' within the team.

"Lewis lied, about that, simple as that," said Lauda. "He just said something. He wanted to be the softener in order to have peace last weekend.

"He does what he can, but the fight gets hotter the longer Nico is in front, he continued."

Should there be any further clashes, said the Austrian - and this was recorded before the controversial events of Sunday - Hamilton would be able to claim that he was the peace maker and had tried his best to maintain calm within the team.

"You can rely upon it," Lauda said, "he is not a peace maker".

The Austrian then revealed that Hamilton was "so p***ed off" after qualifying in Baku that he wrecked his private hospitality room.

"He did it because he had crashed," said Lauda. "He told me I couldn't come in because he was going to destroy everything. This is how it was. I was there, he smashed everything."

The Austrian, who will, in the wake of what happened in Austria probably regret having revealed quite so much to the 'Sport & Talk' audience, confirmed that Hamilton will have to pay for the damage to the room. "You can count on that," he said.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by vectis, 07/07/2016 11:27

"lauda says anything to get media attention
now he admits hamilton didn't trash anything and he didn't lie
anyone notice that what he was supposed to have trash is variously supposed to have been
his hotel room
his rest room in the mercedes 'motorhome '
the hospitality room in the mercedes 'motorhome '
"

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2. Posted by leonrvs, 06/07/2016 7:16

"Now that is silly of Lauda to say this, You can see Rosberg is his German favorit. Sure Hamilton was frustrated thats why his is a F1 driver. There must be no peace between two guys who want to become worldchampion.
The only problem is that they come from the same team, now that's the fault of Mercedes....
"

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3. Posted by mickl, 05/07/2016 21:47

"I have an image of Lewis trying to throw a flat screen TV out of the window."

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4. Posted by Marc, 05/07/2016 19:44

"who is this really about Lewis Hunt or James Hamilton ?. It must be a deja vu for Lauda, the 'clean living' German versus the hell raising Brit. Not so many years ago Lauda called for Lewis to be banned from Racing two year later he was taking the credit for LH signing for Mercedes......I suspect it hurts when Lewis and James before him, are shown the error of their ways yet still choose to live their lives as they see fit. "

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5. Posted by klmn, 05/07/2016 19:36

"
Who cares.

Tabloid BS"

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6. Posted by Willie, 05/07/2016 18:14

"I just wish that I could have been there for the Caracciola/von Brauchitsh "team conferences'' with Neubauer!
Those were the days -- no Lauda, no Wolfe!"

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7. Posted by JackTheCat, 05/07/2016 17:40

"To all those claiming Merc sabotaged Lewis's car this incident concerns Baku qualifying where he and only he made the mistakes that led to his melt down.

That said I am not sure what Lauda expects to gain by publishing this story, I can't believe they really want to destabilise their 3 time world champion, but I may well be wrong.

As for the occurrence itself it is a little childish, but others have done the same...notably a certain Michael Schumacher. As for his comments about his relationship with Nico.... he is asked all the time the same questions so why not say anything that makes the questioner go away.

Not the best advert for the current WC, but his dress sense is probably more of a worry from time to time. The rivalry with Nico is probably also more of a concern for Merc as I think it may be reaching breaking point! Can't see both of them there next year."

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8. Posted by testa rossa, 05/07/2016 17:35

"On German RTL-TV Niki blamed Nico for the crash right away.

btw he told already many times he has no problem with Lewis' lifestyle.

"

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9. Posted by -ape-, 05/07/2016 16:59

"Nothing wrong with Lewis , nothing wrong with Lauda's comment. These two still like each other very much. Some F1 fans like to read shit in every story.
Please enjoy the racing in F1
"

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10. Posted by Spindoctor, 05/07/2016 15:42

"Come back Machiavelli all is forgiven!
Laud gets away with a lot for having been a great driver and very brave man, he has created a "straight talking" image which he now uses to great effect in achieving his goals in the eternal politicking of F1.

Why has Lauda given vent to this outburst? Mercedes, will gain no direct benefit and it won't turn Rosberg from Journeyman into Superstar. One can really only conclude that his aim is character assassination and to discredit and discourage Hamilton. Why he might want publically to attack their Star driver WDC Champion is anybody's guess.

A cynic might conclude that Lauda (as a Senior Mercedes employee) is laying the ground-work for forthcoming Team Orders which will focus on enabling clean-cut, non room-trashing Rosberg "win" the WDC .

Hamilton comes in for a fair bit of criticism for his attitude & behavior, but as a Sportsman his performances have been largely "sporting" in the old-fashioned British way. Not everyone warms to his private-life. I have very little idea what he gets up to off the track, as I don't read the Tabloids or "Hello" and quite frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Anyway its now pretty clear that Mercedes is desperate for "Nice" Nico to triumph over "nasty" Lewis, and the weekend's shenanigans won't have changed that.
Lauda & Wolff might like to consider that when Ferrari implemented Team Orders it was in a context of having contractually defined 1st & 2nd Drivers. At Mercedes that isn't the case, and logically if they did have a 1 & 2 Lewis should be No 1."

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11. Posted by Tweek, 05/07/2016 15:06

"This type of story damages the reputation of Formula 1, and Mercedes. To find that the story comes from within the Mercedes camp is disappointing. Weather or not it's true, Lauda should not be airing our dirty laundry for the worlds press. "

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12. Posted by John Stedman, 05/07/2016 14:21

"And so the nonsense goes on. With both of their highly-paid drivers exhibiting adolescent behaviour on a regular basis, how much longer can Mercedes afford to be associated with this pair? If the team want one German driver and someone from another one of their major markets, there are better, cheaper and more personable choices available who would still win in this superior car. To rescue the 2016 season, Nico Rosberg should simply be told that his contract will be held over until the end of the season, and then only considered for signature if he has behaved impeccably. Lewis Hamilton needs to be reined in and told in no uncertain terms that unless he starts to fully justify his 25 million a year, he will be out on his ear. He needs to be stopped from considering that his Mercedes contract is of secondary importance to his so-called private life. This is what the team manager should have done many races ago. The blame lies with Toto Woolf for letting his two subordinates get away with their arrogant misbehaviour. Put his job on the line and he will soon start to exert his authority."

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13. Posted by Kico28n, 05/07/2016 12:49

"As expected out come all the Hamilton keyboard warriors whenever someone dares to tell them the reality of their man's childish behaviour. Lewis is an incredibly talented driver, indeed, one of the best, but totally lacks humility, maturity, sportsmanship & the ability to accept that just sometimes things don't always go the way he expects & thinks he deserves. As with so many of sports "celebrities" these days he is sadly a flawed sportsman & role model & believes in his own & the (British) media's hype. Anything less than a pole or win & he is hiding behind his sunglasses sulking. Niki as usual just tells it like it is, & the room trashing tantrum doesn't surprise me at all. And for the record I do consider that it was Rosberg who contributed more to the collision last Sunday."

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14. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 05/07/2016 12:38

"Senna and Schumacher had their "dark" side - Hamilton just has his "dork" side - which is most of the time he's awake. Fast he may be. A total jerk he most certainly is."

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15. Posted by Racer at heart, 05/07/2016 12:02

"What surprises me most is that a world class company like Mercedes would allow themselves to be represented by a world class idiot clown like Lauda. Truly amazing what diarrhea comes out of his mouth. "

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Lauda claims Hamilton trashed Baku hospitality room

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