Lauda, a three-times Formula One champion in the 1970s and 80s, bet the German team's boss Toto Wolff 10 euros that Mercedes would be beaten to pole by Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. When Lewis Hamilton pulled out a sensational lap, the fastest ever clocked at the Shanghai circuit, to edge out Vettel and seize pole for Sunday's race, Lauda was happy to honour his bet. "I think he thought, 'either I win money or I am happy about being on pole'. Hamilton’s lap handed Mercedes their 58th pole in 61 races and sixth in succession in Shanghai. "I made a bet with Toto, 10 euros on Vettel because he really looked quick in the car, everything was right,” Lauda told TV reporters.

Source: The Star April 08, 2017 15:22 UTC