Formula 1’s comeback hero Lauda was ‘a champion and icon’
TRIBUTES poured in from all over the world yesterday after the death of three-time Formula 1 racing champion Niki Lauda at the age of 0.
The Austrian driver – who recovered from a near-fatal crash to win one of his world championships – passed away peacefully, his family said.
British racing driver Jenson Button tweeted: ‘A legend has left us. Rest in peace Niki.’ He was also mourned by the McLaren Formula 1 team, who wrote: ‘Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history.’
Hollywood actor and countryman Arnold Schwarzenegger paid tribute to his ‘dear friend’, posting: ‘Niki was a champion, an icon, an Austrian treasure. I will miss this generous, trailblazing hero with my whole heart.’
Lauda narrowly escaped death in 19 6 when his Ferrari crashed in the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Former champion Sir Jackie Stewart told the BBC yesterday: ‘During that accident, he died twice and was resuscitated.’
Despite horrific burns, Lauda resumed racing just 40 days later and finished second in the championship to Britain’s James Hunt. Their rivalry was later made into the 2013 film, Rush, starring Daniel Bruhl as Lauda.
Yesterday, Bruhl wrote on Instagram: ‘The bravest man I’ve ever met, not only because he was an F1 world champion in the crazy ’ 0s and had the most incredible comeback in sport’s history but also because of how he treated people.’
In 19 9, he left the sport to concentrate on setting up his airline, Lauda Air. He briefly returned to racing following an offer from McLaren, winning the F1 championship for a third time in 1984, before retiring the following year. Lauda founded a new airline, Niki, in 2003, and, as non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team, formed a close bond with driver Lewis Hamilton. Lauda had kidney transplants in 199 and 2005, and last August underwent a lung transplant. He is survived by his second wife, Birgit, their twin children Max and Mia, and two adult sons from his first marriage. : Pages 44-45 »