Niki Lauda (May 20, age 70)
Niki Lauda, the three–time Formula One champion, reached his final finish line as he passed away in his home country of Austria on May 20 at age 70.
Get WWE Tickets now
Lauda, both a champion and entrepreneur, remains a heroic figure within the racing world, as his story following a near fatal crash in 1976 continues to inspire racers today.
Just a year after winning his first Formula 1 championship, Lauda suffered a life-threatening crash, as the accident left him with third-degree burns on his face and head. After arriving at the hospital, Lauda fell into a coma, which doctors feared he’d never wake up from. Despite his injuries, Lauda woke up and raced in the Italian Grand Prix remarkably just six weeks after the incident. Lauda displayed true courage, as he finished fourth in the race despite driving with unhealed wounds from the accident, which Lauda famously fought through the pain of as they even bled through his gear during the race. Lauda eventually would win the Formula 1 title once more in 1977.
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.