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Formula 1 legend dies, aged 70

22nd May 2019
Posted by Radio Club

If you love motorsports then this will come as some very emotional news. It has been announced that former F1 Driver and three time world champion, Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70. Lauda died in hospital on Monday 20th May 2019. The cause of his death was believed to be a kidney faliure.

Lauda won three F1 Drivers World Championships (1975, 1977 and 1984). He was a massive fighter and, in 1976 season, had a huge rivalry with McLaren’s, James Hunt. Lauda raced in the Ferrari 312 T2 for the 1976 season and traded wins with James Hunt that year. However, all that was about to change.

Unfortunately, Lauda suffered a terrifying crash at high speed in the 1976 German Grand Prix in heavy rain. His Ferrari 312 T2 careered into the barriers and the engine was on fire which engulfed into the cockpit. Lauda was seriously injured and burnt some of his right ear during the crash and was unconsious during the huge crash.

Lauda was unexpectedly back racing at the Itaian GP that year and finished fourth in that race. He retired in the final race of the season in Fuji for the Japanese GP once he completed the first few laps, after he thought the conditions were too dangerous to race in. James Hunt won the 1976 F1 Drivers World Championship by one point from Niki Lauda.

Lauda won his last championship in 1984 before retiring from the sport altogether, even though he first retired at the end of the 1979 season.

This post was written by a Radio Club member. To learn more about the Radio Club, click here.