 |
| Niki Lauda |
Niki Lauda
Born: 22 February 1949, Vienna, Austria
Grand Prix Starts: 171
Grand Prix Victories: 25
Points Total: 420.5
World Champion: 1975, 1977, 1984
Niki Lauda's return to F1 racing just six weeks after the horrific fireball accident at the Nurburgring is one of sport's most remarkable comebacks. His self-belief and determination were evident from the start, working his way from F2 into F1 with March by 1970. A season at BRM in 1973 produced just 2 points for a fifth place at Zolder. The following year Lauda began his four-season association with Ferrari, teaming up with Clay Regazzoni. In their first season, Regazzoni out-pointed him, the duo finishing second and fourth respecttively in the championship, although Regazzoni had won just once, and Lauda twice - but he had suffered a number of retirements...
But in 1975, Lauda won five races to clinch the world crown with a race to spare, and give Ferrari its first title since Surtees 11 years earlier. 1976 saw epic battles with Hunt and McLaren, and that crash at the Nurburgring, where Lauda received the last rites. Terribly scarred, he returned to the fray at Monza six weeks later. He pulled out of the final race at Suzuka owing to appalling conditions, allowing Hunt to take the title by one point.
Despite roaring back in 1977 to take a second title with Ferrari, Lauda had a difficult year with the team and quit to join Brabham in 1978. This move produced a respectable 44 points and fourth place, but 1979 proved disastrous, and the Austrian announced his retirement.
Three years later he returned, with McLaren, topping the podium in just his third race, and finishing fifth overall in the 1982 championship. 1983 was disappointing, but a year later he blew away his competitors, taking the title from his team-mate Alain Prost by half a point, the closest championship finish ever.
Lauda is the only man to come out of retirement to reclaim the world title. He won his twenty-fifth and final GP at Zandvoort in 1985, retiring at the end of that season.