Andreas Nikolaus Lauda secured his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1975, marking the end of an eleven-year title drought for Ferrari. Born in 1949, the Austrian racing driver and aviation entrepreneur achieved 25 Grand Prix victories throughout a career that spanned from 1971 to 1985, defining his status as a key competitor in motorsport.
Early Career and Funding
Born in Vienna, Lauda pursued racing against the wishes of his family. He advanced through karting and Formula Vee before utilizing a £30,000 bank loan to secure a seat with March Engineering in 1971. After a challenging stint at British Racing Motors, his performance impressed Enzo Ferrari, who signed him to the team in 1974.
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Lauda claimed his maiden win at the 1974 Spanish Grand Prix. By 1976, he led the championship battle against James Hunt. During that season's German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, a severe fire following a crash left him with life-altering injuries. Despite these, he returned to the cockpit six weeks later at the Italian Grand Prix.
Titles and Records
Lauda won his second championship with Ferrari in 1977 before moving to Brabham in 1978. Following a temporary hiatus, he returned to McLaren in 1982. He secured his third World Championship title in 1985 before retiring. He remains the only driver to win titles with both Ferrari and McLaren and established a record for the longest interval between championship victories.
Aviation and Management
Outside of racing, Lauda operated as an aviation entrepreneur, founding Lauda Air in 1985, Niki in 2003, and Lauda in 2016. His executive roles included team principal of Jaguar and non-executive chairman of the Mercedes F1 Team. Under his guidance, Mercedes secured six consecutive World Constructors' Championships from 2014 until his death in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 February 1949, Vienna
- Died: 20 May 2019, Zurich
- Formula One World Titles: 3
- Total Formula One Wins: 25
- Formula One Podiums: 54
- Airlines Founded: Lauda Air, Niki, Lauda
- Major Awards: BBC World Sport Star of the Year 1977
- Burial Site: Heiligenstädter Friedhof
Questions readers ask
Did Niki Lauda win championships with multiple teams?
Yes, he is the only driver to win World Drivers' Championship titles with both Ferrari and McLaren.
What aviation businesses did Lauda manage?
He founded and managed three airlines: Lauda Air, Niki, and Lauda.