Tragedy struck the motor racing world when Formula One legend Niki Lauda passed away earlier today. The Austrian had been battling with illness for a fairly long time and he even had surgery performed. However, the 3-time World Champion, Niki Lauda, lost his battle with life and died at the age of 70.
Niki Lauda was also very wise and often had several quotes about life and motor racing. One of those was about the time he left Formula One and later returned. He said, “I was not interested at all in Formula One when I left; I was very busy with my airline. But slowly I started missing the adrenaline rush and the driving of such fantastic cars at the limit. In reality this urge never disappears when you’re a top driver, because I think we’re a different breed of people, we need to take chances, we need to push ourselves to the limit all the time, that sort of thing. It stays with you, although you can kill it by losing motivation or other things in your life, but it never leaves you forever.”
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When Niki Lauda died, he left behind a fantastic legacy and a family of two sons with his first wife Marlene Knaus, a son and a daughter from his current wife Birgit Wetzinger, and a son from an extra-marital affair.
Niki Lauda is best known for coming back from a horrific crash at the original Nurburgring circuit, known as the Nordschleife. He was also known for his rivalry with late British driver, James Hunt. In fact, their rivalry was immortalised on the big screen in an F1 movie called Rush.
Earlier this year, Niki Lauda underwent a successful lung transplant and looked like he was recovering well. Sadly, more complications arose recently and this time, he could not fight back. A number of racing personalities took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Austrian legend, all led by the Mercedes F1 team.
Lieber Niki… pic.twitter.com/BLxi3pL33G
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) May 21, 2019
❤ Niki, 1949 – 2019 pic.twitter.com/tMPi7s2ODE
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 21, 2019
RIP Niki 🙏🏼#legend pic.twitter.com/E2dM5emEYU
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) May 21, 2019
Everyone at Ferrari is deeply saddened at the news of the death of our dear friend Niki Lauda. He won two of his three world championships with us and will always be in our hearts and in those of all Ferrari fans. Our sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.#CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/mbzZBNZiRZ
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 21, 2019
Very sad day.
Rest in peace Legend. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/aN5w32MAe5— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 21, 2019
A champion. A legend. A friend.
Ruhe in Frieden Niki. pic.twitter.com/dZ7CJmi5nC
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 21, 2019
Shocked by the loss of Niki Lauda. He was a true legend in our sport and someone I had great respect for. May he rest in peace #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/NCCduqNQuU
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) May 21, 2019
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye today. Not many have embodied our sport like you, with such courage and passion. You are an inspiration, a true great, a legend. Thank you Niki. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qZY7wcxf4l
— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) May 21, 2019
Can't find the words.. a special person has passed away. 😔
Rest in Peace, Niki! pic.twitter.com/qDbPCqL4tf— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) May 21, 2019
R.I.P Niki Lauda
A legend is gone 😭#legend #sad #F1 pic.twitter.com/Lo3afrlg19— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) May 21, 2019
A true great of the sport both in and out of the car. RIP Niki.
The thoughts of everyone at Williams are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/PFRzFy27KE
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) May 21, 2019
Niki, you were a true legend and a wonderful man!
May you rest in peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JiPFnhUKBN
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) May 21, 2019
We’ll miss you, Niki ❤️ #Legend pic.twitter.com/TkyzQezZ0A
— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) May 21, 2019
Franz Tost: Although I knew that Niki’s health condition was critical, I always expected him coming back to the track. I am very sad to realize that this will not be the case. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/h6i7IREv8G
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) May 21, 2019
I will keep Niki in mind as a very professional and successful racing driver by winning the Formula 1 Championship three times, but he was also a really strong business man. (2/3)
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) May 21, 2019
Formula 1 loses one of the most important ambassador’s for the sport. My deepest condolence to the Family. (3/3)
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) May 21, 2019
All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend, colleague and 1984 Formula 1 World Champion, Niki Lauda, has passed away. Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/Ndd9ZEfm6B
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 21, 2019
Niki, you were an inspiration to us all – not just those in the F1 paddock, but across the motorsport world and beyond. Rest in peace, legend. pic.twitter.com/9GpDUhD0H6
— SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) May 21, 2019
Today, the motorsport community is saddened by the passing of racing legend, Niki Lauda.
The thoughts of everyone at Mahindra Racing are with Niki's family and friends. ❤️ #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/vPPojKgAQ1
— Mahindra Racing (@MahindraRacing) May 21, 2019
R.I.P legend. words can not describe your life. pic.twitter.com/lZHzIsf16v
— Sophia Floersch (@SophiaFloersch) May 21, 2019
Shocking and sad news this morning. RIP Niki 😔 pic.twitter.com/2bnNdgKzMs
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) May 21, 2019
