Formula 1 Legend Niki Lauda Dies At Age 70!

Australian Formula One driver Niki Lauda, who died after undergoing dialysis treatment for kidney problems, triumphed as F1 champion for three different times. He won it in 1975, 1977, and 1984.

Niki served as a pilot and successful business after running a prominent career on the racing field. More recently, he was an aviation entrepreneur.

Niki Lauda during the race of Champions at Brands Hatch, 1973 (Picture: The Guardian)

Previously, he almost lost his life following a deadly crash in the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. Niki’s Ferrari went off the track and burst into flames, leaving him with severe burns in his head. The inhaling of hot toxic gases damaged his lungs and blood.

However, the fighter racer showed immense courage to come back from a daunting accident. He was back to racing in just 40 odd days.

Niki suffered from a severe lung infection in July 2018 to which he had a double lung transplant. Later in January 2019, he was rushed to the hospital in Vienna following pneumonia.

Before his death, the legendary sportsperson was survived by his second wife, Birgit, his twins, Max and Mia, two sons from his first wife Marlene Knaus– Mathias and Lukas, and a son named Christoph from a third relationship.

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Tribute Galore For Deceased Racer!

Following Niki Lauda’s sad passing, the racing world put on their thoughts with their heartfelt tributes. Former American racer Mario Andretti took over his Twitter to mourn for the sad demise of a fellow legendary racer.

My heart is heavy today, mourning the loss of a colleague and friend. Niki Lauda… a true-blue wonderful man pic.twitter.com/iOLPAZ9NG1

— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) May 21, 2019

Meantime, legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and director Ron Howard also put on their thoughts following a tragic incident.

Niki was a champion. He was an icon. He was an Austrian treasure. He was one of my dear friends. I will miss this generous, trailblazing hero with my whole heart. https://t.co/9Eq9jp4qMK

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 21, 2019

RIP the Great #NikiLauda. Here’s our last meeting in #MonteCarlo in ‘18 We first met while making the movie Rush. The F1 world knows of his grit & intensely competitive spirit, but that matched w/his keen intelligence & wisdom made him a distinctively remarkable man. a force. pic.twitter.com/SMizNt9Hge

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) May 21, 2019

Apart from that, Ferrari also expressed their heartfelt condolence to the deceased racer and applauded Niki for his astonishing racing career.

Niki Lauda’s Bio, Career & Net Worth

The late racer was born as Andreas Nikolaus Lauda on 22 February 1949 in Vienna, Austria. Despite the lack of trust and support from his family, Niki thought of pursuing his career in racing at an early age.

Niki got promotion to the F1 team in 1972. Later in 1974, he was recommended to Enzo Ferrari, the owner of the Ferrari team. A year later, he recorded his first F1 World Drivers’ Championship. Niki went on to double his championship win in 1977 before making it his third time in the year 1984.

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After bidding farewell from the racing field, Niki served as a businessman and aviation entrepreneur. Before his death, he enjoyed a mammoth net worth of $100 Million.