Niki Lauda, ​​the journey of a legend

The world of motorsport is struggling to recover from the death of Niki Lauda, died last night at the age of 70 from a lung disease after his health suddenly deteriorated last August. The charismatic Austrian with his unique style was still present in the paddocks until last year as non-executive vice-president of Mercedes F1, the team that reigns supreme over the discipline.

Born into a high society family, he nevertheless had to take out a loan to finance his F1 season. When he was just over twenty, he competed in his first Grands Prix with March Racing Team before joining BRM.

Niki Lauda on the March 721-Cosworth at the 1972 Monaco GP (credits – WRI2)

He will remain marked by the fatal accident of François Cévert at Watkings Glen (USA) which occurred the following year. It was in 1974 that he celebrated the first of his 25 victories by winning the Spanish GP on the Jarama circuit before signing a second success the same year at Zandvoort (Netherlands). He celebrated his first title a year later with the Team before the 1976 season which would form his legend.

Niki Lauda at the 1974 Spanish GP in Jarama on the Ferrari 312B3 (credits: WRI2)

The year 1976 pitted him against James Hunt in the fight for the coronation. It was during this famous season that he had his terrible accident at the Nürburgring (Germany) and almost lost his life by being seriously burned. Only a month later, he showed up on the grid at Monza (Italy) with significant after-effects and achieved the feat of finishing just off the podium. If he ultimately missed the coronation by a point against Hunt, this season made him enter the legend of F1. The film Rush directed by Ron Howard in 2013 retraces this period and the resulting success allowed younger generations to know the champion's journey.

Niki Lauda on his Ferrari 312T2 at the 1976 German GP at the Nürburgring (credit: DPPI – Hoch Zwei)

The film ends after Niki Lauda's chosen retirement at Suzuka (Japan) under downpours of water, but the Austrian took his revenge the following year by winning his second title. Then leaving to join the Brabham team managed by Bernie Ecclestone, he finally withdrew little by little from Grands Prix, preferring to concentrate on the activities of his airlines.

Niki Lauda at the 1977 Dutch GP at Zandvoort on the Ferrari 312T2 (credits: DPPI)

He nevertheless returned in 1982 to McLaren and will have to wait three years to win his last coronation in 1984, snatching the title by half a point ahead of his teammate Alain Prost who would become another legend in F1. His last season in the world of Grands Prix turned out to be more discreet but the “Computer”, his nickname in reference to his knowledge of racing and his qualities as an unparalleled debugger, still gleaned one last success. of prestige in the dunes of Zandvoort during the 1985 Dutch GP. 

Niki Lauda on the McLaren MP4/2 at the 1984 British GP at Brands Hatch (credits: DPPI)