Biography
Niki Lauda (1949-2019), born Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, was a legendary Austrian Formula 1 driver and aviation entrepreneur. Renowned for his sharp racing mind and resilience, Lauda’s F1 career began in 1971 and he quickly distinguished himself with his strategic approach. He won his first world championship with Ferrari in 1975, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
In 1976, Lauda survived a horrific crash at the Nürburgring during the German Grand Prix, suffering severe burns and lung damage. Incredibly, he returned to racing just six weeks later, finishing fourth at the Italian Grand Prix and narrowly losing the championship to James Hunt by just one point in a dramatic season.
Lauda went on to win two more World Championships—one in 1977 with Ferrari and one in 1984 with McLaren—further cementing his legacy. After retiring, he founded Lauda Airlater merged with Austrian Airlines and played a key role in Mercedes’ Formula 1 success as key strategist.
His life, marked by courage and determination, was immortalized in the film “Wick tree(2013), highlighting his rivalry with Hunt. Lauda’s contributions to motorsport and aviation remain influential, and his iconic hat, worn to cover scars from accidents, has come to symbolize his legacy. his lasting legacy.
Non-executive Chairman of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
Niki Lauda |
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 Niki Lauda: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Info & About Data | |
| Real name: | Andreas Nikolaus Lauda |
| Stage name: | Niki Lauda |
| Born: | February 22, 1949 (age 70) |
| Place of birth: | Vienna, Austria |
| Died: | May 20, 2019 (70 years old), University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland |
| Nationality: | Shirt |
| Education: | not applicable |
| Height: | 1.75 m |
| Parents: | Elisabeth Lauda, Ernest-Peter Lauda |
| Siblings: | Florian Lauda |
| Couple: | Birgit Wetzinger (m. 2008–2019), Marlene Knaus (m. 1976–1991) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
| Children: | Mathias Lauda, Lukas Lauda, Max Lauda, Mia Lauda |
| Job: | Racer • Aviation businessman |
| Net worth: | 80 million USD – 100 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Niki Lauda, born Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, was born on February 22, 1949 in Vienna, Austria, from a family with a background in industrial and shipbuilding businesses. Lauda was of Austrian descent and grew up in a Catholic family, although he was known for his pragmatic approach to life rather than his religious observance.
His mother, Elizabeth Lauda (née Hauser), was initially reluctant but supported his racing ambitions. His father, Ernst-Peter Lauda, an industrialist, owned several businesses, including a paper manufacturing company, and played a key role in nurturing his early passion for automobiles. by Lauda.
Lauda had an older brother, Florian Lauda, who also showed interest in racing but did not pursue it professionally.
Lauda’s formal education was often sidelined by his passion for racing. He attended a school in Vienna, but he focused on mechanics and driving rather than academics. At age 17, he dropped out of school to pursue a racing career, which initially caused friction with his parents, who hoped he would join the family business.
Career
Niki Lauda’s Formula 1 career was defined by both outstanding success and resilience, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers and strategists . He began racing professionally in 1969, progressing through hillclimbs, Formula Vee and Formula 3 before moving to Formula 2, where his talent attracted the attention of F1 teams .
Lauda made his Formula 1 debut in March 1971, but it was not until BRM in 1973 that he scored his first points. His real breakthrough came in 1974 when he joined Ferrari, winning his first Grand Prix at the Spanish Grand Prix. In 1975, he won his first world championship, winning five of 14 races and demonstrating his consistency and strategic prowess.
In 1976, Lauda’s career had a turning point when he survived a near-fatal accident at the Nürburgring racetrack. Despite being severely burned, he made an amazing recovery just six weeks later. He narrowly lost the championship by one point to James Hunt, a famous opponent depicted in the movie “Wick tree.”
Lauda won his second world championship with Ferrari in 1977 but announced his retirement mid-season due to loss of motivation following the traumatic accident. After leaving F1 in 1979, he ventured into the aviation field, founding F1 Lauda Airhas grown into a major Austrian airline.
Faced with financial challenges, Lauda returned to Formula 1 in 1982 with McLaren, adopting a more tactical approach. His efforts culminated in his third and final world championship in 1984, becoming one of the few riders to win titles with different teams, further proving Showing off his racing talent.
After driving, Lauda remained active in motorsport. He worked as a consultant for Ferrari and held management roles at Jaguar Racing and Mercedes, where his strategic input played a key role in their championship dominance.
Social Media
- Instagram: Niki Lauda (@nikilaudaf1)
- IMDb: Niki Lauda(1949-2019)
Personal life
Niki Lauda first married Marlene Knaus in 1976, their relationship with him was depicted in the film “Wick tree.” Their marriage ended in divorce in 1991, largely due to Lauda’s affair, which resulted in an extramarital child.
In 2008, Lauda married Birgit Wetzinger, who is 30 years his junior. Their relationship became public, especially after Lauda’s health problems, where Birgit offered to donate her kidney to him, demonstrating her commitment to their relationship.
From his first marriage to Marlene Knaus, Lauda had a son named Mathias Lauda. With Birgit Wetzinger, Lauda had two children, twins Max Lauda and Mia Lauda, born when he was in his 60s, whom he described as “shot at redemption” and the opportunity to be a more present father. Niki Lauda is about 1.70 meters (about 5 feet 7 inches) tall.
Cause of death
Niki Lauda, iconic Formula 1 driver and aviation entrepreneur, passed away on May 20, 2019, at the age of 70. His death was linked to long-term health complications stemming from serious injuries he suffered in a 1976 accident at a German race. Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, where he suffered severe burns and lung damage.
Despite making a remarkable recovery and returning to racing just six weeks after the accident, Lauda faced ongoing health problems throughout his life, including multiple kidney transplants. His family announced his passing, acknowledging the lasting impact of that fateful accident, which shaped his incredible comeback as well as his subsequent health difficulties. .
Net worth
At the time of his death in 2019, Niki Lauda’s net worth was estimated to be between $80 million and $100 million. This wealth was accumulated through his successful career in Formula One racing, where he won three World Championships and established himself as a key figure in team management and aviation business.
Lauda earned significant sums of money from racing, endorsements and prize money during his active years as a driver, with his comeback in 1976 after a horrific accident contributing to his financial success. his main.
His involvement in team management, especially with the Jaguar Racing team and later with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, increased his income significantly. His role at Mercedes included a lucrative salary and contributed to the team’s success, especially during their period of dominance in the 2010s.
One of his most notable business ventures outside of racing was the founding of Lauda Air, an airline which he later sold to Austrian Airlines, contributing to his wealth during its period of success. .
