Niki Lauda

Born on February 22, 1949 in Vienna, Austria, to a wealthy family, he became a racing
driver in 1968 and began racing in Formula One with the March team in 1973. Joining
Ferrari in 1974, he won his first Grand Prix, and his first world championship in 1975.

In 1976, Lauda suffered severe injuries, including horrific burns, in a crash at the German
Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Near death, he nevertheless managed to get back into
his Ferrari six weeks after his accident. In one of the most famous World Championship
finishes in history, he lost the championship to James Hunt when he withdrew from
the last race of the year in Japan after only two laps because of the dangerously wet
conditions.

Lauda easily won the 1977 championship despite only winning three races.

After leaving Ferrari to join Brabham in 1978, Lauda endured two unsuccessful seasons,
notable mainly for his one race in a radical design which used fan-assisted aerodynamics.
The vehicle won its only race and was then promptly banned. In mid-1979, Lauda left to
found his own airline.

Lauda returned to racing in 1982 when his airline was struggling financially, winning a
third and final championship with McLaren in 1984.

He returned to running his airline, Lauda Air, on his retirement in 1985. Ousted by
boardroom politics in 1999, he managed the Jaguar Formula One racing team 2001-2002.

As a driver, Lauda was renowned for his clear-headed approach to driving, minimising risk
whilst maximising results, and ruthless self-interest.

Made by: Bárbara Marcias de Souzza

Posted by: Homero Terra Padilha Filho