VALE: NIKI LAUDA

Vale: Niki Lauda

FORMER FORMULA 1 World Champion Niki Lauda has died at age of 70.

Confirmed by his family, the three-time Formula 1 World Champion peacefully on Monday, his family released the following statement:

“With deep sadness, we announce that our beloved Niki has peacefully passed away with his family on Monday.”

“His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable, his tireless zest for action, his straightforwardness and his courage remain.

“A role model and a benchmark for all of us, he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather away from the public, and he will be missed.”

Lauda’s career began with a Mini, before moving into sports cars, but it wasn’t until he took out a £30,000 bank loan and bought his way into the March Formula Two team in 1971 that found his way to Formula 1. Though his rapid rise through the ranks got him to where he wanted to be, his family’s disapproval of their son’s racing activities led to Lauda abandoning contact.

After a catastrophic 1972 season with March, Lauda took out a further bank loan, moving to BRM in 1973, but when teammate Clay Ragazzoni moved to Ferrari in 1974, Lauda followed him after Enzo Ferrari asked Regazzoni’s opinion on the Austrian.

The commitment shown by Lauda was clearly demonstrated by finishing fourth in the title including winning his first Grand Prix in Spain, which also was the first for the Prancing Horse since 1972. The next year was much more fruitful for Lauda, who after a slow start took four wins on his way to a maiden world title.

He was well on his way to winning back-to-back titles in 1976, but his now infamous accident at the Nurburgring left him without a championship lead, but he also suffered severe injuries including burns to his head, while inhaling the toxic gasses damaged his lungs and blood.

He was back in a car six weeks later, finishing fourth in Italy although Lauda admitted he was petrified. James Hunt went onto win the title. Lauda had a difficult 1977, but still managed to win the title due to consistency.

Lauda joined Brabham for 1978 and experienced two unsuccessful years before announcing he was retiring after the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix to run his charter airline, Lauda Air.

In 1982, Lauda returned with McLaren and won his third race back at Long Beach, but it was his only triumph as the team went through a transitional period thanks to the new TAG-Porsche engines.

It wasn’t until 1984 when the Austrian took his third world title, thanks to his consistency as his teammate Alain Prost took more victories.

What turned out to be his final season in 1985 was a disaster, announcing his second retirement halfway through the year. Lauda finished with three world titles, 25 victories, 54 podiums and 420.5 points.

Lauda has since entered Formula 1 team management starting with a consulting role with Ferrari, moving to Jaguar and more recently Mercedes.

After a lung transplant late last year, Lauda had been deeply unwell. He leaves behind his wife Brigit and five children.