We report with great sadness that Formula One legend and aviation entrepreneur Niki Lauda has passed away on May 20th, 2019, at 70 years-old.
He died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family and beloved. Niki Lauda had been fighting a range of health complications following a successful lung transplant in 2018.
Just before his death, he was receiving hemodialysis treatment in Switzerland. He received a kidney transplant from his brother in 1997. When the same kidney failed in 2005, Lauda received a second transplant from his then-girlfriend and later wife – Birgit Wetzinger.
Niki Lauda leaves behind four children – two of each marriage and a racing legacy which will be remembered for all time.
Wins: 25
Podiums: 54
Poles: 24
Fastest Laps: 24
Championships: 1975, 1977, 1984 ?
Niki Lauda's legacy: immeasurable #F1 pic.twitter.com/K1bi8Rjg2C
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2019
His career started modestly. Despite born in a wealthy family, young Niki Lauda did not receive their support to become a racing driver. He took multiple loans to secure driving positions in various racing formats.
Eventually, Niki Lauda wound up in Formula One, driving for BRM in 1973. A year after, he was recommended to Enzo Ferrari, by his former teammate Clay Regazzoni.
In 1975, his talent and persistence were rewarded with his first Drivers’ Championship title, while Ferrari won their first Constructors’ title in 11 years.
Niki Lauda’s dominance continued in 1976. He was the fastest driver on the famous Nurburgring and first one to lap the track in less than 7 minutes, even though it was longer at the time.
On the second lap of the 1976 German Grand Prix, Lauda’s brakes failed, causing his Ferrari to swerve and crash, hitting another car and bursting into flames. His helmet slipped off his head and suffered severe burns.
After the crash, Niki would always appear with a cap, covering the scars. It became his signature apparel and would later fetch up to $1.34 million to display branding from a single sponsor.
Remarkably, Niki Lauda recovered quickly and was back in the cockpit just 3 weeks later – still wearing bandages over his head. He led the championship until the very last race, when he retired due to excessive rain, leaving the victory to long-time rival and friend James Hunt.
In 1977, Niki Lauda conquered Formula One again, winning his second and last championship for Ferrari.
After Ferrari, Lauda raced for Braham for two unsuccessful seasons. Driving the Brabham BT46B, later known as the Fan Car, Lauda dominated the Swedish GP. Later, F1 officials banned the car, but his victory remained official.
Lauda took a two-year leave from Formula One, focusing on his newly founded airline – Lauda Air. In his life, he founded three airlines, all of which succeeded commercially. Niki Lauda possessed a commercial pilot license and would occasionally take command of some flights.
In 1982 he returned to Formula One, this time joining McLaren. In 1984 he won his third World Championship, beating teammate Alain Prost by just half a point for 1st place.
Niki Lauda finally retired from racing in 1985, but took various managing roles later on:
- 1993 – consultant for Ferrari – the same year he was also initiated into the Motorsports Hall of Fame
- 2001 – team principal for Jaguar Formula One team
- 2012 – non-executive chairman of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team – Lauda is credited for his work in onboarding Lewis Hamilton to the team
In 2013, the movie Rush reenacted the story of the Lauda-Hunt rivalry during the 1976 F1 Season.
Niki Lauda left this world, but his achievements have etched his name in the history of motorsports forever. May he rest in peace.
Very saddened to hear that Niki Lauda has passed away. One of the last proper heroes of our sport, a true gentleman, and a great human. RIP // Muy triste por el fallecimiento de Niki Lauda. Uno de los auténticos héroes de nuestro deporte, todo un señor y una gran persona. DEP pic.twitter.com/GZjI6yG5A8
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) May 21, 2019