Niki Lauda
Austrian · born Feb 22, 1949 · F1 career 1971–1985
Starts
173
Wins
25
Podiums
54
Poles
24
Points
421
Championships
3
Profile
Niki Lauda won three titles and staged sport's greatest comeback: 40 days after receiving last rites following his fiery Nürburgring crash in 1976, he raced again at Monza — and finished fourth.
Driving style
Analytical to the decimal point; developed cars relentlessly and drove at exactly the required speed, never more.
Defining rivalries
James Hunt · Alain Prost
Career highlights
- World Champion 1975, 1977, 1984
- Returned from near-fatal burns in six weeks (1976)
- Won the 1984 title by half a point over Prost
Interesting facts
- Founded and ran two airlines while racing.
- Withdrew from the deadly 1976 Japanese GP finale, conceding the title on principle.
- As Mercedes chairman, he brokered Hamilton's 2013 signing.