Lewis Hamilton excused media duties following Niki Lauda death

Lewis Hamilton was exempted from his media duties before the Monaco Grand Prix on Wednesday following the death of Niki Lauda.

Hamilton was set to attend the official news conference but his Mercedes team asked for him to be excused.

Lauda was the non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team and was close to Hamilton, having been instrumental in persuading him to join in 2013.

Mercedes are planning a tribute to Lauda on their cars during the weekend.

And team members will wear black armbands in honour of the 70-year-old Austrian, a three-time world champion and an iconic figure in Formula 1.

The sport is also planning events to honour Lauda, although the details have not yet been made public.