Niki Lauda. One of the most famous Formula 1 drivers, three-time world champion and an admirably persistent and courageous man, sadly left us in May 2019.
Although much has already been written about him, especially in the days following his death, it is never too much to recall his remarkable life story once again. Niki Lauda was a man who undoubtedly deserves it.
If he hadn’t followed his own path, we might not know the name Niki Lauda today
Niki Lauda was born in Austria on February 22, 1949. His parents belonged to the Austrian high society as they were successful entrepreneurs and owned a chain of paper mills. It was expected from young Niki that he too would join the elite and behave accordingly. But Niki Lauda had different plans.
He was enchanted by the roar of powerful engines and became more interested in cars and racing than in studying or building a reputation. He wasn’t interested in studying economics or any other subjects his parents and grandparents considered useful. As a result, his school results declined.
To prove to his parents that he was working hard at school and to persuade them to buy him his first car, he even made a fake diploma. The trick didn’t work. Yet, Niki Lauda refused to give up.
He applied for a loan of 125,000 schillings at a bank, where unfortunately his grandfather Hans served on the supervisory board. His grandfather fundamentally disagreed with his plan to pursue cars, and so he vetoed the loan. Lauda later recalled that he called his grandfather politely asking him to stop blocking his business. But his grandfather refused and told him that no Lauda would ever be a racer. Niki Lauda never spoke to him again.
He didn’t give up. He raised the money differently, taking out a loan secured by life insurance. Thanks to this, in 1971 he entered the world of Formula 1 and permanently broke ties with his family. Four years later, he won his first world championship title.
Racer Niki Lauda
Thanks to a friend, Niki Lauda joined the Ferrari Formula 1 team. Nothing could stop him anymore. The Ferrari team was struggling, and Lauda was to be the one to save it. And that’s exactly what happened.
Niki Lauda won world championship titles in 1975, 1977, and 1984. He achieved this twice with Ferrari and once with McLaren. He became one of the most respected and famous figures in Formula 1. However, his career was not only about victories.
The 1976 crash – most would have quit, but Niki Lauda got back behind the wheel
German Grand Prix at Nürburgring. A track that Niki Lauda had often criticized. It was 23 kilometers long, and according to him and others, the organizers could not guarantee fast assistance everywhere in case of an accident. Lauda even reportedly told the organizers at a drivers’ meeting: “If the car has a problem during the race, you are 100% dead.”
When the race began, no one could have imagined the horrific drama that was about to unfold. After changing tires, Niki Lauda was pushing forward when suddenly in a left-hand corner his car went off the track. It hit the barrier, bounced back onto the track, where it was hit by Brett Lunger’s car. The fuel tank exploded and Lauda’s car burst into flames.
The crash knocked off his helmet, and his face, protected only by a balaclava, was mercilessly consumed by flames. From the burning car he was pulled out by driver Guy Edwards, and everyone thought the famous Niki Lauda would not survive his injuries. He was 27 years old at the time.
Warning: the video shows a serious crash, don’t click if you’re sensitiveAlthough he was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors gave him little chance of survival. He had inhaled a huge amount of toxic gases that destroyed his lungs, suffered third-degree burns on his head and face, lost his right ear, eyebrows, and had damaged eyelids. He also suffered burns on other parts of his body. Only wreckage remained of his car.
Niki Lauda later recalled that when he was lying in bed, too exhausted to move, he felt a touch on his shoulder. It was a priest giving him the last rites, thinking Lauda was already dead. “That made me angry, and maybe it awakened an even stronger will to survive in me.”
He survived. Four days later, doctors concluded that he had a chance of recovery. But if you had told them then that within 40 days Niki Lauda would race again, they would have thought you were crazy. Yet, that’s exactly what happened.
Niki Lauda competed in the Italian Grand Prix and finished fourth. The balaclava under his helmet was soaked with blood from unhealed wounds, and after the race he couldn’t take it off. He tore it off along with the skin.
What was Niki Lauda’s life like after the accident that changed everything?
It was clear that the consequences of the crash would stay with him for life. Yet he kept racing and became world champion again. Twice! His incredible story inspired Hollywood filmmakers to create the movie Rush (known as Rivalové in Czech).
Niki Lauda ended his racing career in 1984. He returned to Austria and founded the airline Lauda Air. He invested his incredible determination and willpower into building the company. However, he never completely left the world of professional racing. He held various managerial roles in Formula 1 teams. In 1993, he became a Ferrari consultant, and between 2001 and 2002 he was the head of the Jaguar team.
Niki Lauda lived by the motto: Never give up! And no one can deny that he truly never did. Even in situations where most would have raised the white flag, he kept going to do what he loved. He became an inspiration for many people who were running out of breath on their way to their dreams.
Niki Lauda is not just a name of a Formula 1 driver anymore. He is a symbol of perseverance. His life story proves that if one pursues their path, they can succeed despite obstacles and those who doubt them.
