Formula One legend Niki Lauda dies at 70

Blimey... This is sad news indeed. They don't quite make F1 drivers of the same stuff these days. R.I.P.

http://www.espn.com/racing/f1/story/_/id/26790500/formula-one-legend-niki-lauda-dies-70

Been a sad few months for the sport.

 

An incredible character from a gladiatorial era of F1. An absolute legend.

Now where is my Rush DVD.

 

That is incredibly sad. An absolute legend and nice guy. And what a life he has lived against all the odds.

RIP

 

Very sad , but what a life he lived . Will be watching Rush this evening .

Must admit I wondered how he was doing as it had all gone very quiet

R.I.P

 

Can't help but have a little tear in the eyes on the news of his death. Some people just transcend life and sport and he was one of them

 

I was also a bit emotional at the news. A man of incredible spirit who didn’t know the meaning of compromise. A legend. I had the opportunity to take a photo of him at Silverstone in 2017. He was busy chatting to an engineer but still paused and smiled for the photo. Thanks Niki.

https://flic.kr/p/VvQgeN

 

Forgot to mention I was lucky (didn’t feel like it at the time) to be taken by my uncle to the British Grand Prix at Brands in 1982, about 10 years before I actually took any interest in F1. Great win for Lauda that day.

 

Not sure in 1976 how many people thought he would see the age of 70.

Hard to put into words how you can describe his racing career, yet seemingly he gets often overlooked as one of F1's greats despite everything he went through and for quite a long time was only behind JYS and Alain Prost on the all time winners list.

 

Amazing career, fearless, challenging, intelligent. I would defy any of today's drivers to have the same strength and spirit. As TC has said, a gladiatorial era. He will never, ever, to be replaced. Sad, but also a life to be celebrated. R.I.P. Nikki Lauda. Monaco will be poignant and trust there will be a moment of silence and remembrance.

 

Sad news - even more so because he's still been part of the scene and involved.

One of F1's true stars and a big character.

F1 has lost a few legends recently.

Despite the sadness I cannot help feel that in reality he had a very good innings considering the crash and its surprising he hasn't died earlier from complications.

He can be very happy with 70 and everything he achieved within that period.

He goes down as a legend of the sport and sport in general.

RIP.

 

A sad, but ultimately inevitable, day. He was the first driver that captured my imagination.

 

I like that he ended his career on a high while still enjoying the unprecedented success at Mercedes.

 

A very sad thing to hear. Niki had been in poor health for a while, but it had seemed like things were getting better.

A legend of the track, and great personality around the paddock for many years after retirement. He'll be greatly missed. Hopefully, Mercedes will have a tribute of some kind in Monaco.

 

I would imagine every single person currently involved in F1 who love the sport ( and those still alive but no longer directly connected ) , will want to do something for the great MAN .

 

.​

 

Amongst the most courageous of all;
perhaps THE most authentic human ever to race.
A real-life legend to the bitter end.

Niki's departure leaves a gigantic hole in the hearts and lives of everyone he met.
- - - o0o - - -​

 

I do remember hearing or seeing Daniel Bruhl , he said when he spoke to Lauda about meeting him as he was playing him in the film RUSH .

Lauda said " Sure , but pack light , because if I don't like you , you won't be staying long "

 

The picture 30 seconds in .

Two Giants of the sport who can NEVER be replaced .

 

I see Benson is really sorry for Hamiltons loss...

 

A truly amazing man for many reasons. I was 10 when I first saw an F1 race, the title decider in 1976. It was Niki and James Hunt that got me hooked on the sport. Thank you Niki and thank you James. Although I only saw the last race of that incredible (now well documented) season, to me it was the greatest rivalry in F1. That says it all. RiP Niki.