This is not the kind of news we’d hope to wake up to. Formula One legend Niki Lauda (full name Andreas Nikolaus Lauda) has passed away at the age of 70, following a period of ill health. In a statement, his family said: “With deep sadness, we announce that our beloved Niki has peacefully passed away with his family on Monday, May 20, 2019.”
“His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur 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,” the statement adds.
According to reports, he caught a flu while on holiday in Ibiza and flew back to Vienna for treatment. However, his condition worsened, and doctors decided to operate. Eight months prior, Lauda underwent a lung transplant, and he also had two kidney transplants (from his brother Florian in 1997 and from his wife in 2005).
The Austrian is considered to be one of the best drivers in the history of F1, and was a frequent figure in the paddock throughout the years. He was also Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s non-executive chairman and was involved in the signing of Lewis Hamilton. Lauda, a three-time Drivers’ Championship winner, still remains as the only person to have won a world title with Ferrari and McLaren.
The three world titles were won in 1975, 1977 and 1984. He was perhaps most famous for his incredible return to the sport after suffering devastating burns in a crash in 1975. Lauda suffered severe burns and was put into a coma, and lost most of his right ear, hair on the right side of his face, as well as his eyebrows and eyelids. He returned to the field just two races later and finished fourth in the Italian Grand Prix.
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Eternal rest, legend.
omg this is shocking indeed.. no wonder never see him in last few races
RIP legend Niki. You faced it all, you stood tall
And you did it your way …
RIP, Niki.
A sad day for motorsports. The passing of a legend.
One of the greatest racer of our time.A true testament of what courage,resilience and dedication can do to you.Admired his comeback after his crash in 1976.
RIP, Niki. We all love you and always will.
RIP racing Aryan
One should watch his documentary about his accident and how he return to the sport two race later. Those race cars that were built purely for speed and not safety, race tracks which already being phased out sue to safety concerns, it’s a totally different world compared to today’s F1.
An inspirational legend of Grand Prix racing.
He will be sadly missed by all those who met him.
Oof. Press ‘F’ to pay respect!
F1 Legend, salute