Niki Lauda
- Born: 1949, Vienna, Austria
- Died: 2019
- Nationality: Austrian
- Formula One Championships: 3 (1975, 1977, 1984)
- Notable Teams: Ferrari, McLaren
- Key Event: 1976 Crash & Comeback
Niki Lauda (1949–2019) was an Austrian Formula One racing driver, a legend of speed and resilience. He clinched three World Championship titles, famously returning to the track after a near-fatal crash.
Born in Vienna, Lauda began his Formula One career in 1971. He quickly made a name for himself with his analytical approach and technical feedback, which often led to significant improvements in car performance. His first World Championship came in 1975 with Ferrari, marking a dominant season for the team.
The infamous 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring saw Lauda suffer a severe crash. His car burst into flames, leaving him with severe burns and lung damage. Miraculously, he returned to racing just six weeks later, still visibly scarred, narrowly missing out on the championship that year in a fierce battle with James Hunt. This remarkable comeback is often cited as one of the most courageous feats in Sports history.
Lauda secured his second World Championship in 1977, again with Ferrari. After a brief retirement from the sport, he returned to Formula One in the early 1980s and clinched his third and final World Championship in 1984 with McLaren, beating his teammate Alain Prost by a mere half-point. Post-racing, Lauda remained a prominent figure in Formula One as a consultant, team manager, and airline entrepreneur.