Niki Lauda, a name everyone knows and a familiar face in the Paddock with his iconic red cap, is turning seventy today, but after a notorious accident at the Nurburgring in 1976, Lauda should never have survived past the young age of 27...
Niki Lauda, actually christened Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, is an Austrian who began racing against his family's wishes. However, Niki had undeniable talent and speed and quickly stormed through the ranks, before landing both a Formula 1 and Formula 2 drive with the March racing team in 1972. Although, Niki's debut season in Formula 1 was pretty underwhelming, he soon moved onto BRM in 1973 where he partnered Clay Regazzoni. Unfortunately, the BRM team were lacking in pace forcing Regazzoni to move to Scuderia Ferrari, Niki soon followed for the 1974 season.
Niki remained at Ferrari for a total of four years in which he secured two World Championships, his first in 1975. After a pretty poor start to the 1975 season, Ferrari did, however, manage to turn the season around in the third round of the championship, in which they launched the new 312T model, a car with much improved weight distribution. Lauda used this car to launch ahead in the championship over his main rival, the then reigning World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
After a victorious year with Ferrari, the following season was filled with major highs and lows. The most prominent being Niki Lauda's notorious Nurburgring crash, in which Niki's car burst into flames after a bolt came loose in the front right suspension. This crash was life threatening and even led to Niki being read his last rites multiple times. Even after such a terrifying crash, Niki returned just six weeks later at the Italian Grand Prix and even managed to finish just off the podium in fourth! Moreover, although Niki had missed two crucial races, the Austrian missed out on the championship to James Hunt by a mere point. Only after Niki chose to retire his car in the final round in Japan due to appalling weather conditions, a waterlogged racetrack and intense fog.
The following year, Niki continued to race for Ferrari. This time he won the Championship with a gap of 17 points, well ahead of rival Jody Scheckter. However, the season wasn't without its issues, he therefore chose to move to Brabham for the 1978 season where he finished fourth. Sadly, 1979 wasn't as victorious, with a disastrous season Niki announced his retirement. But this was not the end...
Three years later, Niki returned to Formula 1 with McLaren. The Austrian was victorious at just his third race with the team, finishing fifth overall in the 1982 championship. 1983 wasn't the best season, but just one year later Niki Lauda snatched the title from his teammate, Alain Prost, by just half a point in a bid that amazed all. 1984 was the closest ever championship finish in the entire history of Formula 1! Following this, Niki retired from racing in Formula 1 for good in 1985.
Niki Lauda is the only man to have claimed titles at both McLaren and Ferrari. Additionally, Lauda is the only one to have secured a World Championship after coming out of retirement.
Not only has Niki won three World Championships, he has also branched out into the aviation business, founding three of his own airlines: Lauda Air, Niki and Laudamotion. He has also used his F1 experience and knowledge to act as a Scuderia Ferrari Consultant and a Team Manager for Jaguar Formula 1 Racing Team, now Red Bull Racing. Nowadays, Niki is Mercedes AMG Petronas' non-executive chairman and also owns a hefty amount of the team!
Without a shadow of a doubt, Niki Lauda is an all time great.
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