Niki Lauda

Profession: Auto Racer

Nationality:

Biography: Niki Lauda was an Australian Formula One driver, best known for winning the F1 World Drivers' Championship three times (1975, 1977, 1984). During this time he raced for Ferrari and McLaren, and he is the only driver to have won a championship with both of these prestigious teams.

Lauda was also an aviation entrepreneur, having run three airlines named after himself: Lauda Air, Niki, and Lauda. These airlines have had various lives, with Lauda Air being subsumed by Austrian Airlines in 2013 and, in 2018, with Lauda buying Niki.

Famously Lauda was severely injured after a crash at the Nürburgring during the 1976 German Grand Prix. While he nearly died in this crash and suffered severe burns, he made a miraculous recovering and was racing again in the Italian Grand Prix just six weeks later.

Born: February 22, 1949
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: May 20, 2019 (aged 70)
Cause of Death: Kidney problems

Historical Events

1975-10-05 Austrian Niki Lauda wins the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen to claim his first Formula 1 World Drivers Championship; wins by 19.5 points from Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil
1976-08-01 Reigning world F1 champion Niki Lauda of Austria suffers a near fatal crash during the German Grand Prix at The Nürburgring motorsports complex, Nürburg, Germany
1976-10-24 English McLaren driver James Hunt finishes 4th in the season ending Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway to win his first Formula 1 World Drivers Championship by 1 point from Niki Lauda
1977-10-02 Austrian Ferrari driver Niki Lauda finishes 4th in the US Grand Prix East at Watkins Glen to clinch his second Formula 1 World Drivers Championship; Englishman James Hunt wins the race
1977-10-23 Despite not driving in season ending Japanese Grand Prix, Austrian Niki Lauda wins his second Formula 1 World Drivers Championship by 17 points from Jody Scheckter of South Africa
1984-10-21 Austrian Ferrari driver Niki Lauda becomes a 3-time Formula 1 World Drivers champion when he finishes 2nd in the season ending Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril; wins title by just 0.5 from Alain Prost