Formula 1 Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda (22 February 1949 - 20 May 2019) was an Austrian Formula One driver and aviation entrepreneur. He was a three-time World Champion, winning the title in 1975, 1977 and 1984. He also nearly won the 1976 title, despite a massive crash at the German Grand Prix which left him with severe burns, and almost killed him.

He later served as chairman for Mercedes Grand Prix.[1]

Formula One Career[]

Born into a wealthy family, Lauda was considered one of Formula One's first pay drivers, but his family heavily disapproved him of racing, so he therefore entered his way into F1 with a bank loan. However, he was found to be good, and managed to find a drive with the March team in both F1 and Formula 2, making his debut at his home race in 1971. In 1973, he tested for the declining BRM team, and despite proving his speed, only scored two points in the season.

In 1974, his career changed. BRM teammate, Clay Regazzoni, moved back to Ferrari, and as Ferrari did not have a second driver, they inquired about Lauda to Regazzoni. Regazzoni thought highly of Lauda's ability and Ferrari signed him, allowing Lauda to pay his bank loans. A good first season followed, starting off with a second place, and despite ending the season with five consecutive retirements, Lauda scored two wins and nine pole positions. The next season was even better, Lauda calling it "the unbelievable year". The season started slowly, with five points after four races, but then the next five races included four victories and a second place. Lauda also won the last race to take his first championship. The championship looked in the bag after Lauda started the 1976 season very strongly, scoring podiums in the first seven races. However, Lauda had a massive crash at the Nürburgring, in which he nearly died in his burning car. His chances of survival were so slim that he was given last rites. It was later discovered that Lauda had been wearing a helmet that did not meet the regulations. The helmet was wider and contained more padded foam for extra comfort. In the impact, the foam compressed and allowed the helmet to slip from Lauda's head. Had he been wearing a regulation helmet, the helmet would have had a greater chance of staying on his head and prevented facial damage from burns. Unbelievably though, Lauda returned after just 39 days, having missed two races, and he almost won the championship, being beaten by James Hunt after withdrawing (on safety grounds) in the extreme wet conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lauda's recovery was such that he dominated the 1977 season, taking three wins and six second places, and not bothering to drive the last two races after Ferrari wanted to give Gilles Villeneuve a go in a third car. However, after the three glorious years with Ferrari, Lauda quit the team to join Brabham in 1978. He drove strongly, scoring just seven podiums but retiring in every other race. In 1979, the Brabham car was poor, notching up retirement after retirement, and Lauda only scored four points, and he retired from F1 before the Canadian Grand Prix, tired of driving in circles.

Lauda surprisingly returned in 1982 with the McLaren team, after being convinced by then team principal Ron Dennis for a $3 million salary. He enjoyed a good first season on his comeback, winning twice, and coming fifth in the championship. 1983 was even worse, as after scoring ten points in the first two races, he only scored two more in the remaining thirteen, even failing to qualify at the Monaco Grand Prix.

1984 was a much better year, as Lauda took the championship from Alain Prost by just half a point, the smallest margin on record, taking five wins and four second places in the process. After a weak 1985 (with a win), Lauda retired for the second and final time.

Life after Formula One[]

Lauda founded his first airline, Lauda Air, in April 1979. In 2000, he was ousted from the Lauda Air board. In late 2003, Lauda acquired the former Aero Lloyd Austria operation and set up a new airline, Niki. He held a commercial pilot's license and occasionally acted as captain on his airline.

While he was airline manager at Lauda Air, he was appointed consultant at Ferrari by Luca di Montezemolo in an effort to rejuvenate the team. In mid-2001, he was appointed Chairman of Jaguar, but was removed from his position after the 2002 season.

In 2013, he was appointed the chairman of Mercedes Grand Prix.

Lauda died on 20 May 2019 at University Hospital Zürich at the age of 70 following a period of ill health.

Formula One Statistical Overview[]

Formula One Record[]

Year Entrant Team WDC Points WDC Pos. Report
1971 STP March Racing Team March-Ford Cosworth 0 NC Report
1972 STP March Racing Team March-Ford Cosworth 0 23rd Report
1973 Marlboro-BRM BRM 2 17th Report
1974 Scuderia Ferrari SpA Ferrari 38 4th Report
1975 Scuderia Ferrari SpA Ferrari 64.5 1st Report
1976 Scuderia Ferrari SpA Ferrari 68 2nd Report
1977 Scuderia Ferrari SpA Ferrari 72 1st Report
1978 Parmalat Racing Team Brabham-Alfa Romeo 44 4th Report
1979 Parmalat Racing Team Brabham-Alfa Romeo 4 14th Report
Brabham-Ford Cosworth
19801981 Retired
1982 Marlboro McLaren International McLaren-Ford Cosworth 30 5th Report
1983 Marlboro McLaren International McLaren-Ford Cosworth 12 10th Report
McLaren-TAG
1984 Marlboro McLaren International McLaren-TAG 72 1st Report
1985 Marlboro McLaren International McLaren-TAG 14 10th Report

Non-Racing Formula One Career[]

Year Role Employer
1992 Consultant Scuderia Ferrari
1993 Consultant Scuderia Ferrari
1994 Consultant Scuderia Ferrari
1995 Consultant Scuderia Ferrari
1996 Commentator RTL-F1
1997 Commentator RTL-F1
1998 Commentator RTL-F1
1999 Commentator RTL-F1
2000 Commentator RTL-F1
2001 Chief Executive Officer Jaguar Racing
Commentator RTL-F1
2002 Chief Executive Officer Jaguar Racing
Commentator RTL-F1
2003 Commentator RTL-F1
2004 Commentator RTL-F1
2005 Commentator RTL-F1
2006 Commentator RTL-F1
2007 Commentator RTL-F1
2008 Commentator RTL-F1
2009 Commentator RTL-F1
2010 Commentator RTL-F1
2011 Commentator RTL-F1
2012 Commentator RTL-F1
2013 Commentator RTL-F1
Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2014 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2015 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2016 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2017 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2018 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
2019 Non-executive Chairman Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

Career Statistics[]

Entries 178
Starts 170
Pole Positions 24
Sprint Poles 0
Front Row Starts 31
Race Wins 25
Sprint Wins 0
Podiums 54
Sprint Podiums 0
Fastest Laps 24
Sprint Fastest Laps 0
Points 420.5
Laps Raced 8218
Distance Raced 37,521 km (23,314 mi)
Races Led 41
Laps Led 1593
Distance Led 7,071 km (4,394 mi)
Doubles 9
Hat-Tricks 3
Grand Chelems 1

Race Wins[]

Win Number Grand Prix
1 1974 Spanish Grand Prix
2 1974 Dutch Grand Prix
3 1975 Monaco Grand Prix
4 1975 Belgian Grand Prix
5 1975 Swedish Grand Prix
6 1975 French Grand Prix
7 1975 United States Grand Prix
8 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix
9 1976 South African Grand Prix
10 1976 Belgian Grand Prix
11 1976 Monaco Grand Prix
12 1976 British Grand Prix
13 1977 South African Grand Prix
14 1977 German Grand Prix
15 1977 Dutch Grand Prix
16 1978 Swedish Grand Prix
17 1978 Italian Grand Prix
18 1982 United States Grand Prix West
19 1982 British Grand Prix
20 1982 South African Grand Prix
21 1984 French Grand Prix
22 1984 British Grand Prix
23 1984 Austrian Grand Prix
24 1984 Italian Grand Prix
25 1985 Dutch Grand Prix

Career Results[]

Complete Formula One Results
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pts Pos
1971 Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Monaco Flag of the Netherlands Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States 0 NC
Ret
1972 Flag of Argentina Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Monaco Flag of Belgium Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States 0 NC
11th 7th Ret 16th 12th Ret 9th Ret 10th 13th DSQ NC
1973 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of Sweden Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States 2 18th
Ret 8th Ret Ret 5th Ret 13th 9th 12th Ret Ret DNS Ret Ret Ret
1974 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of Sweden Flag of the Netherlands Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States 38 4th
2nd Ret 16th 1st 2nd Ret Ret 1st 2nd 5th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret
1975 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Monaco Flag of Belgium Flag of Sweden Flag of the Netherlands Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Italy Flag of the United States 64.5 1st
6th 5th 5th Ret
[2]
1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 8th 3rd 6th
[3]
3rd 1st
1976 Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of the United States Flag of Spain 1945 1977 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of Sweden Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States Flag of Japan (1870–1999) 68 2nd
1st 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 3rd Ret 1st Ret INJ INJ 4th 8th 3rd Ret
1977 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of the United States Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Monaco Flag of Belgium Flag of Sweden Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Flag of Japan (1870–1999) 72 1st
Ret 3rd 1st 2nd DNS 2nd 2nd Ret 5th 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 4th
1978 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of the United States Flag of Monaco Flag of Belgium Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Sweden Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of the United States Flag of Canada 44 4th
2nd 3rd Ret Ret 2nd Ret Ret 1st Ret 2nd Ret Ret 3rd 1st Ret Ret
1979 Flag of Argentina Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of the United States Flag of Spain 1977 1981 Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of Sweden Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Canada Flag of the United States 4 14th
Ret Ret 6th Ret Ret Ret Ret C Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 4th DNP
1980 Did not compete
1981
1982 Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of the United States Flag of San Marino Flag of Belgium Flag of Monaco Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Flag of the Netherlands Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of France Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of Switzerland Flag of Italy Flag of the United States 30 5th
4th Ret 1st DSQ Ret Ret Ret 4th 1st 8th DNS 5th 3rd Ret Ret
1983 Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of the United States Flag of France Flag of San Marino Flag of Monaco Flag of Belgium Flag of the United States Flag of Canada Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Europe Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 12 10th
3rd 2nd Ret Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret 6th DSQ 6th Ret Ret Ret 11th
1984 Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Belgium Flag of San Marino Flag of France Flag of Monaco Flag of Canada Flag of the United States Flag of the United States Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Europe Flag of Portugal 72 1st
Ret 1st Ret Ret 1st Ret
[4]
2nd Ret Ret 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 4th 2nd
1985 Flag of Brazil (1968–1992) Flag of Portugal Flag of San Marino Flag of Monaco Flag of Canada Flag of the United States Flag of France Flag of the United Kingdom Flag of Germany Flag of Austria Flag of the Netherlands Flag of Italy Flag of Belgium Flag of Europe Flag of South Africa 1928-1994 Flag of Australia 14 10th
Ret Ret 4th Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 5th Ret 1st Ret DNS INJ Ret Ret
Key
Symbol Meaning Symbol Meaning
1st Winner Ret Retired
2nd Podium finish DSQ Disqualified
3rd DNQ Did not qualify
5th Points finish DNPQ Did not pre-qualify
14th Non-points finish TD Test driver
Italics Scored point(s) for Fastest Lap DNS Did not start
18th Classified finish (retired with >90% race distance) NC Non-classified finish (<90% race distance)
4thP Qualified for pole position [+] More Symbols

External links[]

Notes[]

  1. "Mercedes give Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda new long-term contracts". skysports.com. 20 February 2017. http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10775198/mercedes-give-toto-wolff-and-niki-lauda-new-long-term-contracts. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. Race stopped after 29/75 Laps. Half points awarded
  3. Race stopped after 29/54 Laps. Half points awarded
  4. Race stopped after 31/76 Laps. Half points awarded
V T E FerrariLogo Scuderia Ferrari
Drivers
16. Monaco Charles Leclerc · 55. Spain Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Test Drivers
Israel Robert Shwartzman
Personnel
Sergio Marchionne · Maurizio Arrivabene · James Allison · Jock Clear
World Champions
Italy Alberto Ascari (1952, 1953) · Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio (1956) · United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn (1958) · United States Phil Hill (1961) · United Kingdom John Surtees (1964) · Austria Niki Lauda (1975, 1977) · South Africa Jody Scheckter (1979) · Germany Michael Schumacher (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) · Finland Kimi Räikkönen (2007)
Cars
125 · 166F2-50 · 166S · 212 · 275 · 375 · 375 TW · 375 Indy · 500 · 553 · 553 Squalo · 555 · 625 · D50 · 801 · Dino 156 F2 · Dino 246 · Dino 246P · 156 · 156/63 · 156 Aero · 158 · 1512 · 246 F1-66 · 312 · 312/67 · 312/68 · 312/69 · 312B · 312B2 · 312B3 · 312B3-74 · 312T · 312T2 · 312T2B · 312T3 · 312T4 · 312T5 · 126CK · 126C2 · 126C2B · 126C3 · 126C4 · 156/85 · F186 · F1/87 · F1/87/88C · 640 · 641 · 641/2 · 642 · 643 · F92A · F92AT · F93A · 412T1 · 412T1B · 412T2 · F310 · F310B · F300 · F399 · F1-2000 · F2001 · F2002 · F2003-GA · F2004 · F2004M · F2005 · 248 F1 · F2007 · F2008 · F60 · F10 · 150° Italia · F2012 · F138 · F14 T · SF15-T · SF16-H · SF70H · SF71H · SF90 · SF1000 · SF21 · F1-75 · SF-23
V T E McLarenLogo McLaren Racing
Founder
Bruce McLaren
Notable Personnel
Éric Boullier · Ron Dennis · Tim Goss · Jonathan Neale · Neil Oatley · Peter Prodromou
Former Notable Personnel
John Barnard · Gordon Coppuck · Pat Fry · Norbert Haug · Robin Herd · Paddy Lowe · Neil Martin · Teddy Mayer · Sam Michael · Gordon Murray · Adrian Newey · Steve Nichols · Jo Ramirez · Nicholas Tombazis · Martin Whitmarsh
Drivers
4. United Kingdom Lando Norris · 81. Australia Oscar Piastri
World Champions
Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi (1974) · United Kingdom Lewis Hamilton (2008) · United Kingdom James Hunt (1976) · Finland Mika Häkkinen (1998, 1999) ·
Austria Niki Lauda (1984) · France Alain Prost (1985, 1986, 1989) · Brazil Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991)
F1 Cars
M2B · M4B · M5A · M7A · M7B · M7C · M7D · M9A · M14A · M14D · M19A · M19C · M23 · M26 · M28 · M29 · M29B · M29C · M29F · M30 · MP4/1 · MP4B · MP4/1C · MP4/1E · MP4/2 · MP4/2B · MP4/2C · MP4/3 · MP4/4 · MP4/5 · MP4/5B · MP4/6 · MP4/6B · MP4/7A · MP4/8 · MP4/9 · MP4/10 · MP4/10B · MP4/10C · MP4/11 · MP4/11B · MP4/12 · MP4/13 · MP4/14 · MP4/15 · MP4-16 · MP4-17 · MP4-17D · MP4-18 · MP4-19 · MP4-19B · MP4-20 · MP4-21 · MP4-22 · MP4-23 · MP4-24 · MP4-25 · MP4-26 · MP4-27 · MP4-28 · MP4-29 · MP4-30 · MP4-31 · MCL32 · MCL33 · MCL34 · MCL35 · MCL35M · MCL36 · MCL60
Season Reports
1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 · 1970 · 1971 · 1972 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979 · 1980 · 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989 · 1990 · 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Full results
V T E List of World Drivers' Champions
1950: Giuseppe Farina
1951: Juan Manuel Fangio
1952: Alberto Ascari
1953: Alberto Ascari
1954: Juan Manuel Fangio
1955: Juan Manuel Fangio
1956: Juan Manuel Fangio
1957: Juan Manuel Fangio
1958: Mike Hawthorn
1959: Jack Brabham
1960: Jack Brabham
1961: Phil Hill
1962: Graham Hill
1963: Jim Clark
1964: John Surtees
1965: Jim Clark
1966: Jack Brabham
1967: Denny Hulme
1968: Graham Hill
1969: Jackie Stewart
1970: Jochen Rindt
1971: Jackie Stewart
1972: Emerson Fittipaldi
1973: Jackie Stewart
1974: Emerson Fittipaldi
1975: Niki Lauda
1976: James Hunt
1977: Niki Lauda
1978: Mario Andretti
1979: Jody Scheckter
1980: Alan Jones
1981: Nelson Piquet
1982: Keke Rosberg
1983: Nelson Piquet
1984: Niki Lauda
1985: Alain Prost
1986: Alain Prost
1987: Nelson Piquet
1988: Ayrton Senna
1989: Alain Prost
1990: Ayrton Senna
1991: Ayrton Senna
1992: Nigel Mansell
1993: Alain Prost
1994: Michael Schumacher
1995: Michael Schumacher
1996: Damon Hill
1997: Jacques Villeneuve
1998: Mika Häkkinen
1999: Mika Häkkinen
2000: Michael Schumacher
2001: Michael Schumacher
2002: Michael Schumacher
2003: Michael Schumacher
2004: Michael Schumacher
2005: Fernando Alonso
2006: Fernando Alonso
2007: Kimi Räikkönen
2008: Lewis Hamilton
2009: Jenson Button
2010: Sebastian Vettel
2011: Sebastian Vettel
2012: Sebastian Vettel
2013: Sebastian Vettel
2014: Lewis Hamilton
2015: Lewis Hamilton
2016: Nico Rosberg
2017: Lewis Hamilton
2018: Lewis Hamilton
2019: Lewis Hamilton
2020: Lewis Hamilton
2021: Max Verstappen
2022: Max Verstappen
2023: Max Verstappen
V T E List of World Drivers' Championship runners-up
1950: Juan Manuel Fangio
1951: Alberto Ascari
1952: Giuseppe Farina
1953: Juan Manuel Fangio
1954: José Froilán González
1955: Stirling Moss
1956: Stirling Moss
1957: Stirling Moss
1958: Stirling Moss
1959: Tony Brooks
1960: Bruce McLaren
1961: Wolfgang von Trips
1962: Jim Clark
1963: Graham Hill
1964: Graham Hill
1965: Graham Hill
1966: John Surtees
1967: Jack Brabham
1968: Jackie Stewart
1969: Jacky Ickx
1970: Jacky Ickx
1971: Ronnie Peterson
1972: Jackie Stewart
1973: Emerson Fittipaldi
1974: Clay Regazzoni
1975: Emerson Fittipaldi
1976: Niki Lauda
1977: Jody Scheckter
1978: Ronnie Peterson
1979: Gilles Villeneuve
1980: Nelson Piquet
1981: Carlos Reutemann
1982: Didier Pironi
1983: Alain Prost
1984: Alain Prost
1985: Michele Alboreto
1986: Nigel Mansell
1987: Nigel Mansell
1988: Alain Prost
1989: Ayrton Senna
1990: Alain Prost
1991: Nigel Mansell
1992: Riccardo Patrese
1993: Ayrton Senna
1994: Damon Hill
1995: Damon Hill
1996: Jacques Villeneuve
1997: Heinz-Harald Frentzen*
1998: Michael Schumacher
1999: Eddie Irvine
2000: Mika Häkkinen
2001: David Coulthard
2002: Rubens Barrichello
2003: Kimi Räikkönen
2004: Rubens Barrichello
2005: Kimi Räikkönen
2006: Michael Schumacher
2007: Lewis Hamilton
2008: Felipe Massa
2009: Sebastian Vettel
2010: Fernando Alonso
2011: Jenson Button
2012: Fernando Alonso
2013: Fernando Alonso
2014: Nico Rosberg
2015: Nico Rosberg
2016: Lewis Hamilton
2017: Sebastian Vettel
2018: Sebastian Vettel
2019: Valtteri Bottas
2020: Valtteri Bottas
2021: Lewis Hamilton
2022: Charles Leclerc
2023: Sergio Pérez
* Michael Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 championship.


v·d·e Nominate this page for Featured Article
Advertisement