Remembering Niki Lauda: 5 moments from a stellar career
Austrian F1 legend, Niki Lauda passed away on Monday. The 70-year-old is one of the sport's most iconic figures, known for his resilience and a fiery comeback after a horrifying crash in Germany.
Here's a look at some of the best moments of his career, in pictures.
US GP 1975: Niki Lauda receiving the US GP winner's trophy, which was his fifth win of the victorious 1975 season, where he won the title by a 19.5-point margin. This was Lauda's first championship with Ferrari in only his second year with the team. ▲
Nurburgring crash, 1976: During the German GP, Lauda had lost control, hit an embankment and made contact with Brett Lunger's car. The Austrian's car burst into flames. Before fellow driver Arturo Merzario could pull him out of the car, Lauda had suffered severe burns to the head. He was treated at the hospital, suffering extensive scarring on the head due to the burns. He also lost most of his right ear. ▲
Lauda and Hunt - Niki Lauda with Mclaren driver James Hunt were great rivals. In 1976, Lauda was leading Hunt by three points heading into the final race of the season in Japan. However, Lauda withdrew from the race after the second lap due to heavy rains and unsafe racing conditions. Hunt finished third and won the championship by one point. ▲
German GP 1977 - 1977 was Lauda's last season with Ferrari as his relationship with the team was affected by his decision to withdraw from the Japan GP, the previous year. After winning the 1977 title in US, Lauda left Ferrari without participating in the last two races of the season. This was Lauda with 1977 runner-up Jody Sheckter and Hans Stuck after winning the German GP. ▲
British GP 1984 - In 1984, he won his first title with Mclaren when he beat teammate Alain Prost to the Driver's championship by 0.5 points. During the Monaco GP in 1984, drivers were awarded only half points as the race was stopped due to heavy rains and unsafe conditons. Prost won that race and Lauda had retired. Lauda holding the 1984 British GP winner's trophy. ▲
