Niki Lauda

“From success you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.”

“Giving up is something a Lauda doesn’t do.”

 

~ Niki Lauda

I’ve been a fan of motorsports since my youth.

While each type of racing has its pluses and minuses, it was Formula One Racing that really had much more of my attention in my earlier years. It is like the Super Bowl of auto racing. F-1 racing as it is called, was (and is) filled with a lot of interesting characters. One of my favorite drivers, back in the 70’s and 80’s, was a guy from Austria by the name of Niki Lauda. I liked him because he was NOT the prototypical F-1 driver of that era. He was less “playboy” and was very involved in the engineering aspect of these racing machines. And he was a fearless driver. His duels on the track with one driver, James Hunt, were legendary and ended in a horrific accident that knocked Lauda out of racing for many years due to the injuries and severe burns he received. (There was a movie made in 2013 by the name of “Rush” that chronicled these battles).

Lauda Accident

I have followed Niki’s life for decades and was aware of the 2 kidney transplants he had, and about 8 months ago, he received a double lung transplant. Sadly, Niki Lauda passed away last week. The cause of his death was not released.

Niki always impressed me with his an incredible amount of  focus and his amazing intelligence. But it was his determination to heal and to race again that really made me admire him. He NEVER gave up and he lived life on HIS terms.

Niki was a three times World Champion.

Rest if Peace, Niki!

February 22, 1949 – May 20, 2019

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As a F-1 side note, in December of 2013, we were in the French Alps on a family vacation when word came that another incredible F-1 driver, a seven time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, had been involved in a horrific skiing accident near where we were located and was in a coma and apparently suffered a severe brain injury. His condition was grave. Though, apparently still alive, over the past 5-1/2 years there have been very few reports in regard to his health. Another fantastic driver and human being. He is also in my daily prayers.