Niki Lauda Accident

People are wondering to know what caused Niki Lauda accident. Lauda was seriously injured in a crash while participating in the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.

Niki Lauda was a Formula One driver and businessman from Austria. He won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship thrice in 1975, 1977, and 1984.

Furthermore, he is the only driver in Formula One history to have done it for Ferrari and McLaren, the sport’s two most successful constructors.

He was an entrepreneur who founded and ran three airlines: Lauda Air, Niki, and Lauda. He was also a consultant for Scuderia Ferrari and the Jaguar Formula One racing team’s manager for two years.

He then worked as a Grand Prix pundit for German television and was the non-executive chairman of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, which Lauda owned 10% of.

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Niki Lauda Accident: How Did The accident happen?

On the second lap of the German Grand Prix, Niki Lauda lost control of his Ferrari, forcing it to spin to the right and collide with the metal barriers. 

Lauda was thrown back into the track by force, where he was hit by another vehicle. It was unclear if Lauda would survive when rescued from the flames. It became a watershed moment for the season.

Niki Lauda Accident
Niki Lauda Accident: How a Formula One legend raced just 40 days after nearly dying in a raging inferno(Source- mirror )

Lauda had been competing for wins and championship points with McLaren’s brilliant but not always steady James Hunt that year.

It was one of the strangest seasons in history, with claims of cheating, stolen wins, and reinstated points that had fans on their toes because no one knew who would win.

Lauda wanted to compete at the Monza Grand Prix, where he ultimately finished fourth six weeks after the tragedy.

His blood-soaked bandages and protective helmet concealed the fact that the Austrian was in excruciating pain, despite his admission that he was terrified.

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How did Niki Lauda die?

Lauda died in his sleep on May 20, 2019, at 70, in the University Hospital of Zürich, where he received dialysis therapy for kidney difficulties.

His lung problems from the 1976 accident had rendered him ill for some time. In addition to two kidney operations in previous years, he underwent a double lung transplant last year.

Niki Lauda Accident
He was on the verge of death after a tragic accident. (Source- The 42 )

According to his family, he died peacefully while being attended by family members.

Several current and former drivers and teams paid tribute on social media and during the Wednesday press conference before the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix. There was a moment of silence before the race.

Lauda asked to be buried in the Ferrari racing suit he wore from 1974 to 1977. He was laid to rest in a Friedhof in Heiligenstädt.

Who is Niki Lauda?

Niki Lauda was conceived on February 22, 1949, in Vienna, Austria, to a wealthy family working in the paper industry.

The industrialist Hans Lauda, born in Vienna, was his paternal grandfather. Lauda pursued his career in racing over the opposition of his family.

As was customary in Central Europe, Lauda began with a Mini and then transitioned to Formula Vee before quickly moving up to drive in private Porsche and Chevron sports cars.

Niki Lauda
Niki Lauda, Austrian Formula 1 legend, dies at 70 (Source- BBC )

After realizing his career was on hold, he took out a £30,000 bank loan in 1971 to enter the young March squad as a Formula Two driver. A life insurance policy guarantees the money.

He had a running argument with his family about his desire to race and cut off communication due to their displeasure.

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