Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda passes away at 70

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda has passed away at the age of 70. He was born in Vienna in February 1949, was a motor racing legend who went on to be a successful businessman following his retirement from the sport.

According to his family, Lauda, who underwent a lung transplant in August, “passed away peacefully” on Monday.

Niki Lauda was one of the best-known figures in motor racing. He took the title for Ferrari in 1975 and 1977 and McLaren in 1984.

For the motor racing world, he will be always remembered for his remarkable recovery and return to racing after getting badly burned in a crash in the 1976 German Grand Prix.

One year after winning his first title, on 1 August 1976, he suffered third-degree burns to his head and face and inhaled toxic gases that damaged his lungs after his vehicle burst into flames at Nurburgring.

He was reportedly given the last rites while being in hospital but made a miraculous recovery and returned to racing, still in bandages, just 40 days later.

The new generation of motor racing and fans were introduced to Lauda in the acclaimed 2013 film Rush, which details the account of his rivalry with British driver James Hunt, the 1976 world champion.

Paying tribute to Niki Lauda, F1 has shared a special message on social media.
The message reads, “Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalized in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend”.

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda produced the “most courageous act of any sportsman” in returning to racing so soon after a horrific crash, says former team-mate John Watson.

Tributes and messages have been pouring in on social media for Niki Lauda;