This is the first of our articles in the Formula 1 legends series. We are starting big time because the driver we are talking about is a man who not only was a phenomenal driver in his time but later in his life , he was also the non-executive chairman of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team from 2012. He was the man who was responsible for getting the GOAT Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes for a 3 year deal from 2013 and we have seen how successful the relationship between Lewis and Mercedes has been over the years. He is none other than Niki Lauda.
In this article, we will look at his biography and his amazing Formula 1 career.
Niki Lauda Profile
Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, better known as Niki Lauda, was a legendary Austrian Formula 1 driver born in Vienna on February 22, 1949. Renowned for his unwavering determination and exceptional talent, Lauda's impact on the sport was profound.
Despite initial familial reservations about his racing aspirations, Lauda's passion and dedication propelled him to great heights. His career was marked by numerous victories and a fierce competitive spirit. Tragically, a near-fatal accident at the 1976 German Grand Prix tested his resilience, but he defied the odds and returned to racing, showcasing his indomitable spirit.
Beyond his racing accomplishments, Lauda's entrepreneurial ventures were equally impressive. He founded three successful aviation companies: Lauda Air, Niki, and Lauda. His legacy extends far beyond the racetrack, serving as an inspiration to countless individuals who aspire to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
Niki Lauda Formula 1 career
Nationality | Austria |
Active Years | 1971-1979 and 1982-1985 |
Teams | March, BRM, Ferrari, Brabham, McClaren |
Entries | 177 (171 Race Starts) |
Championships | 3 Titles (1975,1977,1984) |
Wins | 25 |
Podiums | 54 |
Career points | 420.5 |
Pole position | 24 |
Fastest laps | 24 |
First entry | 1971 Australian Grand Prix |
First win | 1974 Spanish Grand Prix |
Last win | 1985 Dutch Grand Prix |
Last entry | 1985 Australian Grand Prix |
Early Years in Racing
Early on in his life the family of Niki Niki Lauda was against him racing but he started to race. Niki Lauda started at Formula Vee but he was so good that he moved up to drive private Porsche cars. In 1971 he became a Formula 2 driver with the March Team with a £30,000 bank loan which was secured by a life insurance policy. Niki Lauda was promoted to Formula 1 in 1972 where he was driving for the March Team. In 1973, Niki Lauda was a part of the BRM team but that team was in decline. At the Monaco Grand Prix he was third and Enzo Ferrari was interested in the driver. Ferrari signed him and began his journey in 1974.
1974-1977 with Ferrari
After a not so successful start to his Formula 1 career in the first 3-4 years, it was in 1974 that he decided that he needed to change a few things in order to be successful and one of them was to change his team and he joined Ferrari in 1974 and from there he never looked back. His first race with them was the Argentine Grand Prix. Soon after he got his first Formula 1 win at the 1974 Spanish Grand Prix and after that the winning just came one after the other. Niki Lauda was 4th in the Drivers Championship in 1974. He finally won the World Championship in 1975 and his dream was fulfilled. All his efforts and struggles have come to fruition. In the 1975 season he was 5th place after the first 4 races but he won the next 4 races out of 5. The year 1976 was not the best year in the life of Lauda as he suffered an accident on the track. He before the 1976 Grand Prix encouraged the other drivers to boycott because of unsafe conditions. His fear came true as he was seriously injured in that race. He quickly recovered and was back in the 1977 season but his relationship with Ferrari had gone South but he still won the World Championship that year making it 2 titles.
First retirement and the perfect comeback
He retired from Formula 1 in 1979 to start his own airline business and he was happy about his decision to retire but in the year 1982 McClaren offered him the chance to come back at a whopping $3 million salary. He won the Long Beach Grand Prix. In 1984 he won his third Formula 1 World Championship as he beat Alain Prost by half a point. He came back in the 1985 season and he was racing in a very high quality and his relationship with McClaren was at a good stage. He thus ended a great career finally in the year 1985 for good and he can be very proud of himself for what he has accomplished in this sport.
