The motorsport world is today mourning the death of Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, who passed away last night at the age of 70. Paying tribute to Austrian legend, FIA President Jean Todt said: “Niki Lauda was a hero of motor sport, who inspired me in my youth. He is a milestone in the history of Formula One. All my thoughts go out to his family, friends and to Mercedes.”
Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1: “It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Niki Lauda. Formula 1 has lost not only one of the truly great exponents of the sport but also one of its heroes. His love of racing and the courage he demonstrated were simply extraordinary and he inspired so many fans. His passing is a great loss for the entire Formula 1 family and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.”
Born in Vienna in 1949, Lauda made his Formula 1 debut at his home grand prix in Austria in 1971. After two uncompetitive seasons with March and, in 1973, a fading BRM team, Lauda was signed by Enzo Ferrari for the 1974 season. With Ferrari he won the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 1975 and 1977 but the titles were punctuated by a horrific 1976 crash at the German Grand Prix. Lauda suffered third-degree burns to his head and face and inhaled toxic gases that damaged his lungs after his car burst into flames at Nürburgring.Despite being close to death the Austrian driver made a miraculous recovery and just 40 days after his Nürburgring crash Lauda returned to racing at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix.
Following his 1977 title win, Lauda moved to Brabham but after two seasons the team he quit the sport to focus on a new career as an airline entrepreneur. He was enticed back to the sport in 1982, however, joining the McLaren team. He won a third and final title with the British team in 1984, emerging victorious after a close, season-long battle with young team-mate Alain Prost. Lauda won by just half a point. After 171 grand prix starts, 24 pole positions and 25 wins, Lauda retired from driving at the end of the 1985 season and once again focused on his airlines interests.
In recent years he returned to Formula One once more, taking on the role of non-executive director of the Mercedes AMG F1 team in late 2012. During his time with the team, Mercedes took five consecutive Formula 1 Constructors’ Championships as well as taking Lewis Hamilton to four World Drivers’ titles, in 2015, 2015, 2017 and 2018 and Nico Rosberg to the 2016 crown.
Redazione MotoriNoLimits
Here’s the @FIA #HallofFame video in tribute to #NikiLauda #F1 : pic.twitter.com/eYD15UgTAl
— Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) 21 maggio 2019
With deep sorrow and sincere respect, @MercedesBenz bids farewell to one of the greats: Niki Lauda.
He will always be remembered as a three-time @F1 champion, passionate entrepreneur, the Chairman of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and above all: as a wonderful human being. pic.twitter.com/XQeBqWVih6
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 21 maggio 2019
“Our team has lost a guiding light. Niki was always brutally honest – and utterly loyal. It was a privilege to count him among our team and moving to witness just how much it meant to him to be part of the team’s success.” – Toto
Statement 👉 https://t.co/BZhHstNkrh pic.twitter.com/c59wvEjTGf
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 21 maggio 2019
I’m struggling to believe you are gone. I will miss our conversations, our laughs, the big hugs after winning races together. God rest your soul. Thank you for being a bright light in my life. I’ll always be here for your family should they ever need me. Love you man pic.twitter.com/cotUpuvW2F
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) 21 maggio 2019
We are deeply saddened about the passing of Niki Lauda. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Lauda Family.
We will be forever grateful for Niki’s immeasurable impact on both Motorsports and @MercedesAMGF1. #NikiLauda pic.twitter.com/jLH1hqinyQ
— Daimler AG (@Daimler) 21 maggio 2019
RIP Niki 🙏🏼#legend pic.twitter.com/E2dM5emEYU
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) 21 maggio 2019
Oggi è un giorno triste per la F1. La grande famiglia della Ferrari apprende con profonda tristezza la notizia della morte dell’amico Niki Lauda, tre volte campione del mondo, due con la Scuderia (1975-1977). Resterai per sempre nei cuori nostri e in quelli dei tifosi. #CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/srQUUeDqLw
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 21 maggio 2019
#CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/qpmfJEC5hg
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 21 maggio 2019
A champion. A legend. A friend.
Remembering a giant of the sport who recently passed away. Our tribute to the inimitable Niki Lauda. https://t.co/sizo9Ip0Jr#fondazionepirelli pic.twitter.com/B91bveReD6
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 21 maggio 2019
Ruhe in Frieden Niki. pic.twitter.com/dZ7CJmi5nC
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) 21 maggio 2019
All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend, colleague and 1984 Formula 1 World Champion, Niki Lauda, has passed away. Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/Ndd9ZEfm6B
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 21 maggio 2019
A respect and admiration that transcended rivalry and competition.
Today, the world of #F1 remembers a giant of our sport. #RIPNiki 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/10OuQJ3Uda
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 21 maggio 2019
Niki, you were an inspiration to us all – not just those in the F1 paddock, but across the motorsport world and beyond. Rest in peace, legend. pic.twitter.com/9GpDUhD0H6
— SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) 21 maggio 2019
Remembering an icon of our sport. Thanks Niki for all you did for Formula 1.
Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/MOijnShrNy
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) 21 maggio 2019
We’ll miss you, Niki ❤️ #Legend pic.twitter.com/TkyzQezZ0A
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) 21 maggio 2019
Cresciamo sognando le imprese dei miti dello sport, e quando uno di loro se ne va ci sentiamo un po’ più soli. Oggi è un giorno triste, perché perdiamo un pezzo della storia della Formula 1, ma non possiamo che rendere onore a un combattente vero come Niki Lauda. pic.twitter.com/zmV8FIkNmU
— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) 21 maggio 2019
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye today. Not many have embodied our sport like you, with such courage and passion. You are an inspiration, a true great, a legend. Thank you Niki. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qZY7wcxf4l
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) 21 maggio 2019
Today we have lost a motorsport legend and inspiration.
RIP Niki Lauda pic.twitter.com/0FoX4rqB3q
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) 21 maggio 2019
A true great of the sport both in and out of the car. RIP Niki.
The thoughts of everyone at Williams are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PFRzFy27KE
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) 21 maggio 2019
Shocking and sad news this morning. RIP Niki 😔 pic.twitter.com/2bnNdgKzMs
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) 21 maggio 2019
Rest in peace Niki Lauda.
Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalised in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend.
The thoughts of everyone at F1 are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/olmnjDaefo
— Formula 1 (@F1) 21 maggio 2019
Words cannot describe how sad I am to hear of Niki’s death. He was a truly great friend of dad’s and the whole Hunt family! He gave me so much great advice over the years. My thoughts go out to Mathias and the whole Lauda family. #RIPNiki #HuntLauda pic.twitter.com/ypbfe22RAo
— Freddie Hunt (@freddiehunt76) 21 maggio 2019
