Ciao Niki

Posted: 21.05.2019
Source: Ferrari

Ferrari pays tribute to the Austrian champion

Maranello, 21 May 2019 – A workaholic, a computer-like brain ahead of his time, a stickler for detail who could separate emotion and rational thought and go straight to the heart of the matter. But at the same time, a person who could have moments of madness, who, to take the title of his autobiography, went on a journey “to hell and back.” A man who found the strength to jump back in his racing car just six weeks on from that terrible accident which he miraculously survived. These were just some of the elements that made up Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, known to everyone simply as Niki. Last night, at the age of seventy, he passed away.

“This is a very sad day for me, having been fortunate to have actually seen him race and also for all fans of Ferrari and Formula 1,” commented Ferrari Vice President, Piero Ferrari. “Niki leaves us having suffered so much and that is painful for me. He won so much with Ferrari and with other teams too and he always remained a friend. He was a fantastic driver, an accomplished businessman and an amazing person. I will miss him.”

“My memories of Lauda go back to my childhood,” recalled Scuderia Team Principal Mattia Binotto. “When I was little I saw him and Regazzoni win for the Prancing Horse on race tracks all round the world. I was not yet ten and to me he seemed like a fearless knight. Once I came into Formula 1, my relationship with Niki was one of mutual respect. I think that thanks to his bravura and his undoubted charisma, he helped make this great sport well known and loved all over the world. I have fond memories of him telling me that my Swiss approach was just what was needed to bring order to the very Italian Ferrari! That was Niki all over, straight talking and direct and even if you didn’t agree with him all the time, you couldn’t help but like him.”

Lauda was born in Vienna on 22 February 1949. He was an innovator and a champion who brought a new way of thinking to his racing. When Niki first appeared on the Formula 1 scene, he came across as a stubborn young man, with strong self-belief, to the extent that he ignored the wishes of his family and took out a loan to follow his dream to race in Formula 1. In 1973, the Austrian drove for BRM alongside Clay Regazzoni and it was the Swiss driver who mentioned the youngster to Enzo Ferrari. In one of those typical moves that caught out everyone in the sport, Ferrari signed Lauda for 1974. Right from the start, at the races in Spain and Holland, Niki was a front-runner, fighting for the wins in the 312 B3-74. He missed out on the title, but in 1975 he would drive the 312 T. Lauda was fully immersed in the team, helping it to improve with his mania for detail and his attitude endeared him to Enzo Ferrari, who treated him like one of his family. Lauda and the Scuderia evolved into the perfect partnership and grit and determination brought win after win. In 1975, the Austrian took his first world championship crown, also helping the Prancing Horse to win the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles for the first time after an eleven year wait.

The 1976 season got off to an encouraging start for the reigning champion. Niki won five of the first nine races – Brazil, South Africa, Belgium, Monaco, Great Britain – so that he had more than double the number of points of his closest rival. Then it was time for the German GP at the Nurburgring, the circuit known as the Green Hell, because it was so long, tricky and dangerous. On lap 2, Niki lost control of the car on the damp track and crashed heavily into the barriers. As a result, the car burst into flames. Thanks to the valiant efforts of other drivers, he was pulled from the wreckage, but he was seriously injured, to the extent he was given the last rites. But Lauda was not the sort to give up easily. He fought just as hard in his hospital bed as he had done on track and recovered in record time. Just six weeks later, he was racing again, although in great pain. He was determined to retain his title, but it was not to be. He missed out on the championship by a single point under a downpour at Fuji in Japan. Events had turned Lauda into a true hero, in sport and in life. His popularity transcended the world of racing as he entered the collective imagination, to the extent that his life was even turned into a film.

In 1977, Lauda won his second world championship, but it was also the year in which he severed his ties with the Scuderia and Enzo Ferrari. Lauda switched to Brabham for the following year but, on their own, neither he nor Ferrari managed to win. Niki briefly retired from the sport, before returning to take his third and final title in 1984, with McLaren.

Despite a turbulent end to the relationship with Scuderia Ferrari, the story of Lauda and Maranello would have a final chapter, when he returned as a consultant to the team in 1993. With his two titles and 15 wins over four seasons, Lauda is the second most successful driver for Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1.

 

Niki Lauda – 70th Birthday – Happy Birthday Niki

Posted: 22.02.2019
Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 22 February 2019 – Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow wishes a very happy 70th birthday to Niki Lauda, the Austrian who is one of the greatest drivers to ever fly the Maranello flag.

Two titles. Lauda is celebrated in a video showing on the Scuderia’s Twitter and Facebookaccounts. He drove for Ferrari in Formula 1 from 1974 to 1977 and is second only to Michael Schumacher in the list of the Scuderia’s all time winners. He won two World Championships in 1975 and 1977, with 15 wins, 32 podiums, 23 pole positions and 12 fastest race laps.

 

 

Niki Lauda – Racing with Ferrari

 

Nationality AUT
Born 22.02.1949, Vienna
Deceased 20.05.2019, Vienna

Races:

Date Round Ferrari S/N No Team Result
13.01.1974 Grand Prix of Argentina 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
27.01.1974 Grand Prix of Brazil 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ engine
30.03.1974 Grand Prix of South Africa 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari 16./retired/technical defect/ignition
28.04.1974 Grand Prix of Spain 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
12.05.1974 Grand Prix of Belgium 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
26.05.1974 Grand Prix of Monaco 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ignition
09.06.1974 Grand Prix of Sweden 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ engine
23.06.1974 Grand Prix of the Netherlands 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
07.07.1974 Grand Prix of France 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
20.07.1974 Grand Prix of Great Britain 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari 5.
04.08.1974 Grand Prix of Germany 312 B3 012 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/accident
18.08.1974 Grand Prix of Austria 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ engine
08.09.1974 Grand Prix of Italy 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ engine
22.09.1974 Grand Prix of Kanada 312 B3 015 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/accident
06.10.1974 Grand Prix of USA 312 B3 014 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired
             
12.01.1975 Grand Prix of Argentina 312 B3 020 12 Scuderia Ferrari 6.
26.01.1975 Grand Prix of Brazil 312 B3 020 12 Scuderia Ferrari 5.
01.03.1975 Grand Prix of South Africa 312 T 018 12 Scuderia Ferrari 5.
27.04.1975 Grand Prix of Spain 312 T 022 12 Scuderia Ferrari retired/accident
11.05.1975 Grand Prix of Monaco 312 T 023 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
25.05.1975 Grand Prix of Belgium 312 T 023 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
08.06.1975 Grand Prix of Sweden 312 T 023 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
22.06.1975 Grand Prix of the Netherlands 312 T 022 12 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
06.07.1975 Grand Prix of France 312 T 022 12 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
19.07.1975 Grand Prix of Great Britain 312 T 023 12 Scuderia Ferrari 8.
03.08.1975 Grand Prix of Germany 312 T 022 12 Scuderia Ferrari 3.
17.08.1975 Grand Prix of Austria 312 T 022 12 Scuderia Ferrari 6.
07.09.1975 Grand Prix of Italy 312 T 023   Scuderia Ferrari 3.
05.10.1975 Grand Prix of USA 312 T 023   Scuderia Ferrari 1.
             
25.01.1976 Grand Prix of Brazil 312 T 023 1 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
06.03.1976 Grand Prix of South Africa 312 T 023 1 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
28.03.1976 Grand Prix of USA West 312 T 023 1 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
02.05.1976 Grand Prix of Spain 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
16.05.1976 Grand Prix of Belgium 312 T2 026   Scuderia Ferrari 1.
30.05.1976 Grand Prix of Monaco 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
13.06.1976 Grand Prix of Sweden 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 3.
04.07.1976 Grand Prix of France 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/engine
18.07.1976 Grand Prix of Great Britain 312 T2 028 1 Scuderia Ferrari 1./disqualified
01.08.1976 Grand Prix of Germany 312 T2 028 1 Scuderia Ferrari retired/accident
12.09.1976 Grand Prix of Italy 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 4.
03.10.1976 Grand Prix of Canada 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 8.
10.10.1976 Grand Prix of USA – East 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari 3.
24.10.1976 Grand Prix of Japan 312 T2 026 1 Scuderia Ferrari retired/ abandoned race
             
09.01.1977 Grand Prix of Argentina 312 T2 026 11 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/engine
23.01.1977 Grand Prix of Brazil 312 T2 026 11 Scuderia Ferrari 3.
05.03.1977 Grand Prix of South Africa 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
03.04.1977 Grand Prix of USA West 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
08.05.1977 Grand Prix of Spain 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari did not start/ accident during warm up lap
22.05.1977 Grand Prix of Monaco 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
05.06.1977 Grand Prix of Belgium 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
19.06.1977 Grand Prix of Sweden 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari retired/technical defect/ road adhesion
03.07.1977 Grand Prix of France 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 5.
16.07.1977 Grand Prix of Great Britain 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
31.07.1977 Grand Prix of Germany 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
14.08.1977 Grand Prix of Austria 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
28.08.1977 Grand Prix of the Netherlands 312 T2 030 11 Scuderia Ferrari 1.
11.09.1977 Grand Prix of Italy 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 2.
02.10.1977 Grand Prix of USA – East 312 T2 031 11 Scuderia Ferrari 4.
             
13.04.1975 Daily Express Trophy Silverstone 312 T      
?

 

Rush revives the old Hunt-Lauda rivalry

Posted: 10.04.2013 Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 10th April – Although almost 37 years have gone by, their rivalry remains one of the gripping and enthralling in Formula 1 history. The long duel between Niki Lauda and James Hunt that dominated the 1976 season has been turned into a major new film opening in cinemas worldwide on September 13th next. The trailer for Rush, which was directed by Oscar-winner Ron Howard, is available online from today. With Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda, the film also sees Olivia Wilde playing Hunt’s wife, Suzie Miller, and Alexandra Maria Lara playing Marlene Knaus, Lauda’s then partner. Rush also features Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino, in the role of another Ferrari favourite, Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni. The outcome of the duel between the two men leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of Ferraristi to this day. The 1976 World Drivers’ title should have gone to Niki Lauda and would have, had his tragic accident at the Nürburgring not knocked the Austrian driver out for three grands prix, allowing Hunt to make up ground lost in the early part of the season. Despite an incredible comeback, Niki couldn’t possibly have been at his best in the final races but somehow managed to be leading the standings three points ahead of his McLaren rival on the eve of the decisive Japanese Grand Prix. However, Sunday, October 24th went down in history after Lauda decided to pull out of the race because treacherous weather conditions were making the track virtually, if not totally, undriveable. Even had the Austrian finished outside the points (at the time awarded from 1st to sixth positions), he would have been able to take his second Drivers’ title if Hunt failed to do better than fifth. However, Lauda took the decision to retire after two laps because he felt the track conditions were simply too dangerous. Hunt finished the race in third position and, at the end of what was an extraordinary race, was declared World Champion. In the intervening decades, much has been said and written about that day and what happened before, during and after the race. Now enthusiasts can relive the rivalry between two men who took a very individual approach to their job that was a world away from the Formula 1 of today. Anyone that has seen the film was impressed by the way in which Howard has drawn the drivers’ personalities and his masterful portrayal of the world of Formula 1 as it was at the time. Despite the passing of almost thirty years and the enormous progress made in safety, the Rush trailer declares that one fact hasn’t changed: “There’s a lie that all drivers tell themselves: death is something that happens to other people”. Anyone that works in the paddocks knows all about that and never forgets it.  

Niki Lauda and Ron Howard in Maranello for film about the challenge with James Hunt in the dramatic F1 season of 1976

Posted: 27.10.2011 Source: Ferrari

Maranello, 27 October – As of February 2012 a film about the human and motorsport aspects of the Formula 1 season 1976 will be shot. 1976 was the year when Niki Lauda, World Champion with Ferrari, had his terrible accident at the Nürburgring. For him, it seemed to be the end of his career, but only a few weeks later Lauda was back on the track to defend his title, challenged by Englishman James Hunt. When it seemed that he had made it, right at the last race, at the Japanese GP, Lauda had the courage to show his fears regarding another possible accident due to the track, which was unusable due to the heavy rain. Lauda decided to resign and victory in the Championship went to Hunt. This story will come to the big screen, directed by the famous director Ron Howard (Apollo13, A beautiful Mind, Da Vinci Code and other successful feature films). Yesterday Howard met Ferrari Chairman Montezemolo in Maranello together with Niki Lauda himself, producer Eric Fellner and screenwriter Peter Morgan. The Ferrari Chairman, who was Head of the Scuderia in these years, experiencing Lauda’s dramatic accident and the human aspects first hand, carefully listened to the project’s contents and explanations of the screenplay. Later on Niki Lauda took Ron Howard onto the Fiorano race track, personally driving an FF, which completely delighted him. The film will be titled Rush, which incorporates the moment of uncertainty with which this turbulent Championship came to an end.

 

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