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Daily Mirror just reported this sad story. He was a credit to F1 and younger drivers, sports and business. Many condolences to his family within his blood and his family within motorsport.

The F1 circus will be a sadder place without him.

A great champion. People often credit Senna and sometimes Prost as being the first truly modern F1 champions; of taking their craft seriously instead of being playboys and womanizers more concerned with just having a good time; of working hard with their engineers or on their fitness and of just generally being what we now see as a true professional. For me, it's Lauda. He was before my time but my father (who basically is responsible for getting me into F1) saw him compete and always talked about how serious he was and how committed. He said everyone loved the character that was James Hunt but that Lauda was 10 times the better champion and the more admirable man.

He will be missed by the sport. I hope Mercedes do something for him in Monaco.

RIP Champ!

I didn’t always agree with him or his convictions, but I always respected his abilities and achievements.
His classic IDGAF one liners will be missed greatly. He left an indelible mark on the sport, and his testicular fortitude will NEVER be surpassed by anyone. Niki Lauda is the purest embodiment and personification of Cojones!… and Webster’s should replace any and all words explaining the definition of the word with just his picture.

Genuinely gutted, F1 is a much poorer place without him.

Not a young man but still too soon

RIP

RIP Nikki, I was actually wondering about him recently as I hadn't heard any news about his lung condition and last I checked he was supposed to be rejoining the team?
F1 has lost 2 very proud figures this year. He will be missed.

I just got this news flash. I will miss his enthusiasm and joy he brought to the sport. Rest in Paradise, Niki.

Genuine hero of the sport.

So sad to hear this

RIP

RIP Niki! True champion.

I am saddened to hear this news, I had hoped he'd recover from his lung transplant last year and get back to the circuit, even if only a spectator and non-working relationship.

RIP Niki - a true champion, forever remembered. An inspiration in not only competition, but life in general.

One of my childhood's heroes. What a man, fighting to the end

Sad news. A major piece of the sport's history has passed from the living world.

He was more than a driver, he was F1. His comeback story is one of the most remarkable stories in the history of sports. To hell and back to first place. Such a sad day, big loss. I was fortunate enough to watch on TV some some of his races, including the last victory in 1985.

RIP Niki, a great man on and off the track

Rarely mentionned among the greatest, but in my opinion a greater classy man than most of the drivers topping the polls. A true hero, and for once the title is really well deserved.
I liked everything Lauda was, including his dry sense of humour.

I'll soon start to feel old...

Rip

The epitome of bravery and an enormous character, he has lived a remarkable life. As a 10 year old, I was lucky enough to watch him race in the first Grand Prix of Adelaide in 1985...a race he led until brake failure, and his last race. Always ready with a nugget of humour or wisdom in later life, he will be sorely missed. RIP Niki Lauda

The word "legend" is used way too often these days - but not in his case, he was a true legend.

Guts, passion, determination. Plus one hell of a sense of humor.

One of the greatest fighters to have ever graced this planet. You will be greatly missed Niki.

Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

This is a very sad day.

When his books came out in the 'seventies, they increased my fascination for F1. His mention of Piero Taruffi's classic book made me buy a copy of it the moment I found it. It was in French, but I devoured it, no wonder he had studied it thoroughly. I think I valued Lauda's honesty most, though I sometimes rather disliked his vocabulary in interviews later.

This morning the memory of him testing at Zolder in 1985 with McLaren kept popping up in my mind's eye; disappearing up the hill in slightly misty, somewhat gloomy conditions. Later he gave Flemish TV an interview in the pitlane. Standing around them with the handful of people present, it was impossible not to be impressed by the commanding stare from his blue eyes. And realising that it was his eyes I noticed, rather than the scars in his face.
How lucky I wasn't on duty that day, and could be present.

What a remarkable man. I feel privileged to have seen him race. RIP.

Siao7 wrote:Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

How can someone ask this and not instantly feel ashamed ? I wouldn't forgive my best friend for asking me this in private...
On the same note, to someone who thought of asking him about not getting plastic surgery of his ear, he replied it was more practical for phoning...

kleefton wrote:RIP Nikki, I was actually wondering about him recently as I hadn't heard any news about his lung condition and last I checked he was supposed to be rejoining the team?
F1 has lost 2 very proud figures this year. He will be missed.

There was a report yesterday that he had been put on a dialysis machine so I was guessing that things were not looking good for him, I wonder if the lung condition relates back to when his lungs got badly burnt and he got given the last rites?

Anyway RIP Niki, a legend of the sport.

Harpo wrote:

Siao7 wrote:Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

How can someone ask this and not instantly feel ashamed ? I wouldn't forgive my best friend for asking me this in private...
One the same note, to someone who thought of asking him about not getting plastic surgery of his ear, he replied it was more practical for phoning...

Spineless people that fish for any story... Absolutely shameful indeed

Siao7 wrote:

Harpo wrote:

Siao7 wrote:Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

How can someone ask this and not instantly feel ashamed ? I wouldn't forgive my best friend for asking me this in private...
One the same note, to someone who thought of asking him about not getting plastic surgery of his ear, he replied it was more practical for phoning...

Spineless people that fish for any story... Absolutely shameful indeed

In the film Rush it shows Hunt shoving the reporter into a room and then closes the door, then the sound effects give the impression that Hunt punches the reporter, although it is said that this apparently never happened?

pokerman wrote:

Siao7 wrote:

Harpo wrote:

Siao7 wrote:Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

How can someone ask this and not instantly feel ashamed ? I wouldn't forgive my best friend for asking me this in private...
One the same note, to someone who thought of asking him about not getting plastic surgery of his ear, he replied it was more practical for phoning...

Spineless people that fish for any story... Absolutely shameful indeed

In the film Rush it shows Hunt shoving the reporter into a room and then closes the door, then the sound effects give the impression that Hunt punches the reporter, although it is said that this apparently never happened?

That's the story, but we'll never find out I guess as Hunt is no longer with us

Very sad news. He will be a huge miss in the F1 world.

Niki was a great driver, but even stronger as a person. He could build up a team around himself, and that was another part of why he was Champion 3 times. In those days F1 was full of characters and Niki was one of the best examples.

RIP to a true sporting legend.

Dunno why, I've been reading condolences all day, but Hamiltons post really tugged the old heartstrings.

 

An Instagram Post from the 21st century

Siao7 wrote:

pokerman wrote:

Siao7 wrote:

Harpo wrote:

Siao7 wrote:Just to add my favourite Lauda quip from back when he was a driver, as copied from F1.com:

Later, he was asked questions by a journalist he thought he recognised.

“I know you, don’t I?” he asked. “I don’t think so,” the journalist replied.

But Lauda the computer read his memory bank, and recalled how cruel the man had been when he was vulnerable during the first press conference he made after his accident, when people saw for the first time the ravaged and scarred image he would forever present to the world.

“I remember,” Lauda said. “You’re the guy who asked me what my wife would do now that I was ugly.”

Raising his fresh-won trophy, he pointed it at the miscreant and said, “Well, you can shove this up your @ss.”

How can someone ask this and not instantly feel ashamed ? I wouldn't forgive my best friend for asking me this in private...
One the same note, to someone who thought of asking him about not getting plastic surgery of his ear, he replied it was more practical for phoning...

Spineless people that fish for any story... Absolutely shameful indeed

In the film Rush it shows Hunt shoving the reporter into a room and then closes the door, then the sound effects give the impression that Hunt punches the reporter, although it is said that this apparently never happened?

That's the story, but we'll never find out I guess as Hunt is no longer with us

According to Joe Saward, it is completely fictitious:

Joe Saward wrote: One can understand a writer’s desire to create dramatic moments, but having Hunt coldly beating up a journalist – warranted though such a thing might have been in the circumstances portrayed – was simply not something that James would have done. It was not his style… Hunt was a glamorous babe-devouring party animal, but ruthless violence was not at all his thing…

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/09 ... ards-rush/

But it's probably worth taking this discussion to another thread, as this is meant to be the Niki Lauda memorial thread...

There's one thing about Nikki that I'm curious about. I wonder if there are any old-timers in here who can comment on 1984 (kidding - you don't have to be that old to remember that). I didn't start following F1 until the late 80s and didn't see that season myself. Everyone just says Lauda was lucky and that Prost was clearly the better performer. Anyone see it differently?

Truly sad news. I am indeed grateful for having been around to see his exploits and follow his post-racing career. Thank you Niki, may You rest in peace.

sandman1347 wrote:There's one thing about Nikki that I'm curious about. I wonder if there are any old-timers in here who can comment on 1984 (kidding - you don't have to be that old to remember that). I didn't start following F1 until the late 80s and didn't see that season myself. Everyone just says Lauda was lucky and that Prost was clearly the better performer. Anyone see it differently?

There is something in Lauda's luck, as well as Prost performance, but not all that decisive. The main point is that Lauda was not (anymore) that good qualifier and it did not looked good on the eyes. His first half of the season was not that good, as he had many retirements. Also, all in all Prost beat him in victories 7:5. However, Lauda was very able to make it up in the second part of the season, and throughout the season his finished always first and second, when he finished the race at all, with one exception at Nurburgring, fourth. He had 6 retirements and Prost five, so his achievement looks better. However, it looks like that the Monaco victory and half points cost Prost the crown, and even with eventual second place (Senna would almost certainly retire as he had badly damaged his front right suspension, so it would be still a victory, or still a second place behind Bellof), he would have 6 points instead of 4,5 which would have lifted him in the standings to first. Lauda said that it was his hardest championship win, and we have all reasons to believe him. Yet, nothing can be taken from his 1984 achievement.

sandman1347 wrote:There's one thing about Nikki that I'm curious about. I wonder if there are any old-timers in here who can comment on 1984 (kidding - you don't have to be that old to remember that). I didn't start following F1 until the late 80s and didn't see that season myself. Everyone just says Lauda was lucky and that Prost was clearly the better performer. Anyone see it differently?

Prost threw away points that year, in Dallas and in Austria. Those mistakes cost him in the end. Niki crashed out in the rain of Monaco, and perhaps Prost was lucky to win it with Senna and Bellof catching rapidly, but it was only worth half points anyway. Prost was the better qualifier, Niki showed more consistency in races.

^^
Interesting thoughts guys. Wish I could have seen it myself.

RIP King Rat

Blake wrote:Truly sad news. I am indeed grateful for having been around to see his exploits and follow his post-racing career. Thank you Niki, may You rest in peace.

very well put
not many of the guys left, who drove during a period where they had to have elephant sized balls, to do what they did on the track