Formula 1-Nicky Lauda

Nicky Lauda's Early Life

Nicky Lauda is a Formula One driver who has won three World Championships and is known for being one of the bravest and most successful drivers in the sport. Born in Vienna, Austria on February 22nd 1949, Lauda's racing career began at the age of 18 when he won two European motorcycle championship races within two weeks.

Lauda's driving skills were renowned; he was often described as a "lucky" driver, and his incredible will to win made him one of the most formidable racers of all time. However, following a near fatal crash in 1976, Lauda left racing until an offer from Ferrari took him back for the 1979 season.

In 1984, Lauda retired but returned to racing four years later with McLaren as part of its driver line-up. A run of 5 consecutive wins from 1985 to 1987 saw Lauda win his third World Championship before retiring.

Nicky Lauda's Racing Career

Nicky Lauda's racing career has seen him compete in Formula One, Formula Two and the European motorcycle championship. Lauda was born in Vienna in 1949 but spent his early years in nearby Villach. He showed an interest in racing early on and made his first steps into the sport at just eighteen years old when he won two European motorcycle championship races within two weeks.

Nicky Lauda then moved up to Formula 2 before moving to Formula 1-the highest level of single-seater motorsport. In 1976 following a near fatal crash, Lauda left racing and retired from it for 10 years until an offer from Ferrari took him back for the 1979 season.

In 1984, Lauda retired but returned to racing four years later with McLaren as part of its driver line-up. A run of 5 consecutive wins from 1985 to 1987 saw Lauda win his third World Championship before retiring for good at the end of 1987.

The 1976 Crash

Lauda's near-fatal crash in 1976 was one of the worst crashes ever seen in Formula One. Lauda, driving for Ferrari, collided with a part of the track that had been damaged by other cars and caught fire. Lauda was trapped inside the car, and he suffered grave burns to his head and face. The Austrian spent six weeks in hospital before returning to racing three months after the crash.

He won two world championships in 1975 and 1977 before retiring from Formula 1 at the end of 1979. However, Lauda made a return in 1984 when he joined McLaren as a driver alongside Alain Prost, who had just left Renault.

What Happened Afterwards?

Lauda's Formula One career peaked in 1975, when he won the World Championship with Ferrari. His success in Formula 1 was all but over after a serious crash during the 1976 race at Nürburgring, which almost killed him. Lauda was left with a broken nose, jaw and both hands as well as extensive scarring.

Lauda realized that he had to retire from racing because of his injuries and so retired from Formula 1 in 1979, following three years with McLaren. He would come back for the 1984 season to drive for McLaren alongside Alain Prost and returned to win 5 races before retiring for good.

Conclusion

Nicky Lauda will always be remembered as a great racer who knew how to win, as well as how to lose.

He is a racing driver, and Formula One world champion, who was the only driver to have been champion for both Ferrari and McLaren.

He retired after winning the FIA Formula One title in 1984 and went into a period of seclusion before returning to motorsport with Mercedes-Benz.

Lauda was also the only driver to have won the Formula One World Championship driving for both of the company's rivals, having taken his first title in 1975 with Ferrari and his second in 1984 with McLaren.

He is acknowledged to have been one of the most intelligent drivers ever to have competed in the sport.

In 1975 he was also involved in one of racing's biggest ever accidents when his car crashed at the Nürburgring.

The accident almost led to him losing his life but Lauda recovered and went on to continue his racing career.