VIENNA - Austrian motor racing great Niki Lauda, whose comeback from a near-fatal crash made him a global symbol of resilience and determination, has died at the age of 70.
Just six weeks later, his burns bandaged and raw, he was racing again, vying to retain his Formula One world title. It remains one of the sport’s most memorable acts of courage and defiance. Lauda, who would later become a racing team executive and airline entrepreneur, applied that no-nonsense style to most things. When he had accumulated so many trophies that were mostly"ugly and for me useless", he gave them to his local garageman in exchange for a lifetime of free car washesApart from reconstructive work on his eyes and eyelids he opted against cosmetic surgery on the burns that disfigured him.
He overcame internal injuries, too. After two kidney transplants in 1997 and 2009, he underwent a lung transplant in 2018, 42 years almost to the day after the crash at the Nuerburgring in which he inhaled hot toxic gases.Born to a wealthy Vienna family, he defied its wishes to pursue a racing career. Lauda’s grandfather, who was on the supervisory board of an Austrian bank, even blocked his own firm’s sponsorship deal with his grandson. The family rebel took out loans to fund his early years.
Lgend of F1. Rest In Peace.
He was a fighter. May his soul rest in peace. I wonder where is james hunt? True sportsmen.
R.I.P. Niki Lauda. You were a great car racer. RT : Austrian motor racing great and three-times Formula One champion Niki Lauda, who survived fiery crash, dies at 70
RIP
That’s sad a great driver
One of the greatest.
Was burned in the crash, and never lost the burn marks.