Niki Lauda

Early Life

Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda was born on February 22, 1949, in Vienna, Austria, into a wealthy industrial family. Despite his family's disapproval, Lauda became fascinated with cars and racing at a young age. He attended a racing school at the age of 14, and by the time he was 18, he had decided to pursue a career in auto racing.

Racing Career

Lauda made his debut in Formula One with the March team in 1971. He joined Ferrari in 1974, winning his first World Championship title the following year. Lauda's driving style was characterized by his technical precision and his ability to push the car to its limits while maintaining control.

In 1976, during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring circuit, Lauda was involved in a horrific accident that left him with severe burns and injuries. Despite being given the last rites in hospital, Lauda made a miraculous recovery and returned to racing just six weeks later, finishing fourth in the Italian Grand Prix. This event marked a significant turning point in his career and life, demonstrating his extraordinary determination and resilience.

Lauda won his second World Championship in 1977. After a brief retirement in the late 1970s, he returned to racing with the McLaren team in 1982 and won his third and final World Championship in 1984.

Post-Racing Career

After retiring from racing in 1985, Lauda founded and ran three airlines: Lauda Air, Niki, and Laudamotion. He also served as a consultant for Ferrari and a team manager for the Jaguar Formula One team. In 2012, he was appointed non-executive chairman of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, where he played a crucial role in signing driver Lewis Hamilton.

Personal Life and Death

Lauda was married twice and had five children. He underwent two kidney transplants, in 1997 and 2005, and a lung transplant in 2018. Lauda passed away in his sleep on May 20, 2019, at the age of 70.

Legacy

Lauda is remembered as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One. His comeback from the 1976 accident is regarded as one of the most courageous acts in the history of sport. His contributions to the sport, both as a driver and a team leader, have had a lasting impact on Formula One.