Niki Lauda

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+**Niki Lauda**

+- **Born:** 1949, [Vienna](/wiki/Vienna), [Austria](/wiki/Austria)

+- **Died:** 2019

+Born in [Vienna](/wiki/Vienna), Lauda began his [Formula One](/wiki/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](/wiki/World_Championship) came in 1975 with [Ferrari](/wiki/Ferrari), marking a dominant season for the team.

+The infamous [1976 German Grand Prix](/wiki/German_Grand_Prix) at the [Nürburgring](/wiki/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](/wiki/James_Hunt). This remarkable comeback is often cited as one of the most courageous feats in [Sports](/wiki/Sports) history.

+Lauda secured his second [World Championship](/wiki/World_Championship) in 1977, again with [Ferrari](/wiki/Ferrari). After a brief retirement from the sport, he returned to [Formula One](/wiki/Formula_One) in the early 1980s and clinched his third and final [World Championship](/wiki/World_Championship) in 1984 with [McLaren](/wiki/McLaren), beating his teammate [Alain Prost](/wiki/Alain_Prost) by a mere half-point. Post-racing, Lauda remained a prominent figure in [Formula One](/wiki/Formula_One) as a consultant, team manager, and airline entrepreneur.

+Niki Lauda (1949–2019) was an Austrian [Formula One](/wiki/Formula_One) racing driver, a legend of speed and resilience. He clinched three [World Championship](/wiki/World_Championship) titles, famously returning to the track after a near-fatal crash.

+## See also

+- [Motor Racing](/wiki/Motor_Racing)

+- [Austria](/wiki/Austria)

+- [Racing Driver](/wiki/Racing_Driver)