On 1 August 2026, Formula 1 marked 50 years since Niki Lauda's fiery crash at the Nürburgring. What happened next is one of the greatest comebacks in sport: six weeks later, still bandaged, he was back in his Ferrari at Monza.
Three world titles, a legendary rivalry with James Hunt and a second career running airlines and advising Mercedes – this is the story of the Austrian they called The Rat. Find more racing icons in our Formula 1 collection.
Niki Lauda Fact File
| Full name | Andreas Nikolaus Lauda |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 February 1949 |
| Place of birth | Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 20 May 2019, Zürich, Switzerland (aged 70) |
| Discipline | Formula 1 driver |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| World titles | 3 (1975, 1977, 1984) |
| Nicknames | The Rat, SuperRat, The Computer |
Career History
| Years | Team | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1971–1972 | March | F1 debut at the 1971 Austrian GP |
| 1973 | BRM | Paid drive; 2 points |
| 1974–1977 | Ferrari | World champion 1975 and 1977 |
| 1978–1979 | Brabham | Two seasons before his first retirement |
| 1982–1985 | McLaren | World champion 1984 |
| Career | Totals | 25 wins, 24 poles, 54 podiums |
Totals are World Championship Grand Prix results. He retired in 1979, returned in 1982 and retired for good at the end of 1985.
Betting Everything on Racing
Lauda came from a wealthy Viennese family who did not want him to race. He did it anyway, starting in a Mini in 1968 and working up through Formula Vee and Formula 3. To get into Formula 1 he took out a bank loan secured on a life-insurance policy to buy a seat at March.
It was a huge gamble, and in 1974 it paid off when Ferrari signed him.
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Ferrari and the First Title
Lauda's methodical approach earned him the nickname The Computer. He won his first Grands Prix in 1974, and in 1975 the Ferrari 312T carried him to five wins and the world title.
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1976: Fire, Courage and James Hunt
Early in the 1976 German Grand Prix his Ferrari crashed and caught fire. He suffered severe burns and lung damage and was given the last rites. Astonishingly, he finished fourth at Monza six weeks later.
The title went down to the rain-soaked final race in Japan, where Lauda withdrew, judging conditions too dangerous. Hunt took the championship by a single point – a story later told in the 2013 film Rush. Lauda answered by winning the title again in 1977.
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The Comeback King
He walked away in 1979, then returned with McLaren in 1982. In 1984 he beat teammate Alain Prost to the title by half a point, 72 to 71.5 – still the smallest margin in F1 history. He won his final race in 1985.
Honours
Formula 1 World Championship
- World champion: 1975 (Ferrari), 1977 (Ferrari), 1984 (McLaren)
- 25 Grand Prix wins and 24 pole positions
Recognition and later roles
- Formula 1 Hall of Fame inductee
- Non-executive chairman of the Mercedes F1 team, 2012–2019
Away From the Track
Lauda founded the airline Lauda Air in 1979 and later launched further airlines. After his racing days he worked as a Ferrari consultant, Jaguar team principal and TV pundit, and from 2012 he was non-executive chairman at Mercedes, who won every Constructors' title from 2014 to 2019.
FAQs
When was Niki Lauda born and when did he die?
Niki Lauda was born on 22 February 1949 in Vienna and died on 20 May 2019 in Zürich, aged 70.
Where was Niki Lauda born?
He was born in Vienna, Austria.
What teams did Niki Lauda drive for?
March, BRM, Ferrari, Brabham and McLaren.
How many world titles did Niki Lauda win?
Three: 1975 and 1977 with Ferrari, and 1984 with McLaren.
What happened to Niki Lauda in 1976?
He crashed and was badly burned at the Nürburgring on 1 August 1976, yet returned to race at Monza six weeks later and lost the title to James Hunt by one point.
Why was Niki Lauda called The Rat?
The nickname came from his prominent teeth, and he embraced it – hence SuperRat.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Ayrton Senna Career Story and Michael Schumacher Career Story.
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