Tributes pour in for Niki Lauda
Tributes across the motorsport world are being made to triple Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda following his passing at the age of 70.
Lauda passed away on Monday evening surrounded by his family in Austria which has seen the sporting world paying its respects to an icon of F1.
Lauda claimed his 1975 and 1977 F1 world titles with Ferrari and his third with McLaren in 1984. He rose to legendary status when he survived life-threatening burns and injuries in an accident during the 1976 German Grand Prix only to return to racing six weeks later.
Tributes across the motorsport world are being made to triple Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda following his passing at the age of 70.
Lauda passed away on Monday evening surrounded by his family in Austria which has seen the sporting world paying its respects to an icon of F1.
Lauda claimed his 1975 and 1977 F1 world titles with Ferrari and his third with McLaren in 1984. He rose to legendary status when he survived life-threatening burns and injuries in an accident during the 1976 German Grand Prix only to return to racing six weeks later.
After retiring from racing at the end of the 1985, Lauda remained a familiar face in the F1 paddock, while he helped oversee Mercedes’ era of F1 dominance as non-executive Chairman.
The Austrian stepped away from F1 to undergo a double lung transplant last August and battled a serious case of flu at the start of 2019 but after a period of ill heath he died on Monday evening aged 70.
As both a rival and an ally, Lauda’s personality and attitude gained him admirers from the entire F1 paddock, plus the wider sporting world, with tributes flooding in since his passing was confirmed.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has led the tributes to Lauda with the team set to mourn the loss of its Chairman at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
“Niki will always remain one of the greatest legends of our sport - he combined heroism, humanity and honesty inside and outside the cockpit,” Wolff said. “His passing leaves a void in Formula 1.”
“The motorsports world has lost its greatest fighter. The Mercedes family has lost an amazing mentor. And I have lost a true friend. Thanks Niki.” Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Ola Källenius, CEO elect of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, added: “We are mourning the loss of a very special person who showed terrific fighting spirit. Niki Lauda achieved enormous success and had a huge impact on motor racing. He was an exceptionally talented racing driver and a real inspiration as a businessman. His family are in our thoughts at this sad time.”
F1 Chairman and CEO Chase Carey has also given a tribute and feels the sport has lost “one of its heroes”.
“It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Niki Lauda,” Carey said. “Formula 1 has lost not only one of the truly great exponents of the sport but also one of its heroes.
“His love of racing and the courage he demonstrated were simply extraordinary and he inspired so many fans. His passing is a great loss for the entire Formula 1 family and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.”
“Niki Lauda was a hero of motor sport, who inspired me in my youth,” FIA President Jean Todt added. “He is a milestone in the history of Formula One. All my thoughts go out to his family, friends and to Mercedes.”
Below is a collected list of tributes from across the motorsport world.
Niki, 1949 - 2019 pic.twitter.com/tMPi7s2ODE
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 21, 2019
Everyone at Ferrari is deeply saddened at the news of the death of our dear friend Niki Lauda. He won two of his three world championships with us and will always be in our hearts and in those of all Ferrari fans. Our sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.#CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/mbzZBNZiRZ
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 21, 2019
All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend, colleague and 1984 Formula 1 World Champion, Niki Lauda, has passed away. Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/Ndd9ZEfm6B
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 21, 2019
RIP Niki #legend pic.twitter.com/E2dM5emEYU
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) May 21, 2019
A champion. A legend. A friend.
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 21, 2019
Ruhe in Frieden Niki. pic.twitter.com/dZ7CJmi5nC
A true great of the sport both in and out of the car. RIP Niki.
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 21, 2019
The thoughts of everyone at Williams are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PFRzFy27KE
Rest in peace Niki Lauda.
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2019
Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalised in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend.
The thoughts of everyone at F1 are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/olmnjDaefo
We’re saddened to learn that Niki Lauda has passed away
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) May 21, 2019
A three-time @F1 world champion who epitomised bravery and brilliance. A true legend who transcended motorsport
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire F1 community pic.twitter.com/VfjLBvkaFp
I will never forget when I met you and all your advice Niki. All my thoughts are with your family.
— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) May 21, 2019
Nunca olvidaré cuando nos conocimos y todos tus consejos. Todo mi apoyo a los familiares y amigos. #RIPNikiLauda #legend pic.twitter.com/eexAudFlDl
The thoughts of the Repsol Honda Team and HRC are with the friends and family of Niki Lauda. A man who achieved incredible things both on and off the track.#RIPNikiLauda
— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) May 21, 2019
RIP Niki Lauda, a true Icon and Motorsport legend. Thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. pic.twitter.com/v6bOMZfsWc
— Casey Stoner (@Official_CS27) May 21, 2019
Today a big hero left us! Niki you have been an inspiration for all of us ! We will miss you and never forget what you did for the sport !! My condolences to Niki's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ae6vQFQa5d
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) May 21, 2019
Niki was a champion. He was an icon. He was an Austrian treasure. He was one of my dear friends. I will miss this generous, trailblazing hero with my whole heart. https://t.co/9Eq9jp4qMK
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 21, 2019
RIP the Great #NikiLauda. Here’s our last meeting in #MonteCarlo in ‘18 We first met while making the movie Rush. The F1 world knows of his grit & intensely competitive spirit, but that matched w/his keen intelligence & wisdom made him a distinctively remarkable man. a force. pic.twitter.com/SMizNt9Hge
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) May 21, 2019
