Niki Lauda: The Man; The Legend

Niki Lauda was an Austrian a 3-time Formula 1 world champion in the early-1970s to the mid 1980s and a rival to James Hunt. After suffering a horrific accident deeply engraved into history, he became one of the most well-known drivers in the motorsport community; not just for his skills within the sport, but his determination and ability to recover and never give up.

I myself had not heard of Niki Lauda as a young girl but after much research when my interest in motorsport began a couple of years ago, I became fascinated with how incredible Lauda's story really was.

Lauda was born into a family of business and they expected him to follow, though his dreams of racing prevailed and overtook his family's push towards money and economy and the beginning of an extraordinary racing career began. In 1968 he began racing Minis, despite a considerable amount of disapproval from his family, particularly his grandfather Hans Lauda who stated that "A Lauda should be on the economic pages of the newspaper, not the sports pages."

After entering Formula 3 some time later, he bought his way into Formula 2 through March Engineering where he raced primarily as a Formula 2 driver. He also took a huge leap of faith and raced in his first Formula 1 race in his debut with the team though it [the team] was a weak one, much like his next, BRM which was already on the decline when he joined in 1973. Although his early career was very mix and match as Lauda tried to find a team with the power (both socially and mechanically) and the money to sustain his future, he showed determination as he moved onto his well-known place at Scuderia Ferrari along with previous teammate at BRM, Clay Regazzoni.

Niki Lauda said that James Hunt was the only person he was ever fond of

This is where the furious fight between James Hunt and Niki Lauda ignited harder after its spark in their early career. However, after a shifty start to his time at Ferrari, the rubber began to burn and the fight was on for a championship win against his rival.

Which brings us to that horrifying but also remarkable day at the Nürburgring in 1976. Lauda had been going strong all season, but a few weeks before had strongly urged drivers to boycott the race due to safety concerns. The race went ahead regardless and quickly there was an air of tension and atmosphere at the real danger of the track, it being the most difficult and risky on the calendar. I have watched 2 versions of the crash, the original footage and the incredible motion picture 'Rush' which depicts it in a scarily perfect way - both are shocking and make me so much more proud and in awe at Lauda's courage and determination.

The aftermath of Lauda's crash at the German GP as the stewards try to fight the fire

The crash was one of the biggest I've seen apart from Romain Grosjean's in the 2020 season, along with the 2012 crash at Belgium Spa again involving Grosjean and also Lewis Hamilton. How anyone can be in a burning car for such a considerable amount of time is beyond me and I have no words for such an incredible man. What impresses me further is his recovery time - after 2 events, he was racing again, fighting against the pain of his burns, especially when putting on his helmet. This may seem like a motorsport fan's idol and just a vintage story from the 70s, but after watching 'Rush' and other videos of his successes, I have become truly inspired by Niki Lauda.

As well as his career in Formula 1, he also pursued aviation, investing his money into 3 aviation companies, the names of which make me chuckle because in some ways it shows his arrogance but also his passion - 'Lauda Air', 'Niki' and 'Lauda.' Maybe he was trying to make his fans laugh with his unique humour, or maybe he was just trying to be recognised further, but his love of planes made him a star of the air as well as the track.

Niki Lauda in flying around in the famous red in his Ferrari 312T

Later in his life he became a truly high-regarded driver of the 20th century and I think even more so after his crash and the emotion it evoked. Well into his retirement and beyond he became a pundit for reporters and also partnered with films and other Formula 1 teams as a guide or coach for the newer generations. he even featured at the end of 'Rush' commenting on his relationship with Hunt and even his death, saying "When I heard he'd died age 45 of a heart attack I wasn't surprised, I was just sad." Unfortunately, Lauda himself died in 2019 and the motorsport community was heavily shaken by such an influential and strong character.

For a man to come from such uncertainty and conflict to rise to such a remembered and honoured position in history and sport itself is a true feat, and I think we can all say that Niki Lauda wasn't just a man; he was a legend.