RIP Niki Lauda: 1949-2019

[Bunkiester]

A fantastic driver, a tenacious competitor, but above all, an example of just how good people can be. His battle against the odds after his horrendous accident was a lesson in courage and sheer guts. He was a well deserved legend during his lifetime, and for all times. He will definitely be remembered for all time as one of the greatest. Rest in Peace Good Sir, you will be missed.

 

[Eric Rowland]

Herr Lauda was much more than a racing driver.....

 

[M-Bimmer]

What a sad day
May he rest in peace.

 

[gamer19]

Such a sad news, saw it on my tv yesterday. Another legend is gone.
Guess it's time for "Rush" rerun, as some kind of personal homage.
Knowing myself... there will be a lot of tears.

 

[Reik Major]

I think one thing, which differentiates him from nearly anyone else in the F1 circus was his straight honesty.

Sometimes it made him sound unfriendly but he was authentic with no need to be liked by everyone.

Very well done Nicky!

 

[Reik Major]

Such a sad news, saw it on my tv yesterday. Another legend is gone.
Guess it's time for "Rush" rerun, as some kind of personal homage.
Knowing myself... there will be a lot of tears.

One of the best films about racing. Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth really made me feel watching James vs Nicky.

 

[jmfjcas]

One of my favorite stories of Lauda , thanks Niki for all !

 

[Paul Glover]

Herr Lauda was much more than a racing driver.....

Was just about to post the same thing, what a man he was. Not enough like him in the world.

 

[gwaldock]

My first racing Hero !
RIP Mister Andreas Nikolaus Lauda and thank you very much for all you done by racing, bravery and personality.

The first Tamya model I done was the Ferrari 312T and my huge respect to him never changed !

Tamiya's 1/12 scale Ferrari 312T was my first, too! I built it because Lauda was one of my heroes but I also fell in love with all of Tamiya's "Big Scale" series. I built Hunt's Marlboro McLaren and eventually the entire catalog.

 

[paracletus]

Terrible news, hoped he was getting better. Will be missed good man.

 

[Laurent Resende]

Bravo Racedepartment pour cet Hommage !!!! R.I.P Niki

 

[themission2]

MACHS GUT, NIKI!!! RUHE IN FRIEDEN!!!

 

[Isaac Chavira]

Godspeed Niki

 

[Patrik Marek]

Thank you for some great racing, for improving F1 safety but above all, for giving straight answers, no BS

(say hi to rest of the F1 legends next time when you have a race up there)

 

[randMracer]

Truly a sad day. What a warrior and a champion in all aspects of life. He had to overcome so much and always did it with a zest for life. An inspiration and an idol for all that grew up watching him and for generations to come.

 

[Andrew Harper]

I was reading an article about his life on another website and what he achieved in his career was remarkable. A true fighter in many ways.

Not just in F1 but the way he made his way up through he rankings. Loan after loan, no real support from his family (he was racing against their wishes for most of it). Racing in mostly uncompetitive cars with little reward. However someone like Enzo Ferrari saw something special in him and took him on. From there he drove that team forward and developed a brilliant relationship with their engineers to deliver the goods. In some ways it's a remarkable story. Even more so when you consider his accident, the subsequent retirement and then coming back again for McLaren and delivering the goods again. It just wouldn't happen today. His whole approach changed the way drivers had to work in F1 (much like when Schumacher arrived).

I saw this cartoon via FB yesterday and it sums up my thoughts exactly, RIP Niki

 

[Terry Rock]

Lauda was the inspiration for a lot of people entering the sport of motor racing.
I remember as a young boy in the 70s, meeting up every Saturday morning to race Scalextric cars.
About 6-8 of us would show up bright and early...each bringing a different sections of track.
We'd meet on the wrap-around veranda of this one school mate...then proceed to race all day until his dad 'kicked' us out at around 6-7 PM.
Everybody wanted to be the next Niki Lauda in those days.
Three of us went into different forms of racing.

 

[EduCalza]

Great Man. Great Racer. True Legend.
Rest in peace.

Nice tribute, made by Formula 1.

 

[Serj]

Driver of golden era F1..... Rest in peace , dear CHAMPION!!!!

 

[Isaac Chavira]

I saw this cartoon via FB yesterday and it sums up my thoughts exactly, RIP Niki

I was hoping someone would make something like this. I was thinking of doing it as well. Maybe James in the pits taking off the seat belt for him and Niki looking up smiling.


I think this song is appropriate. Many of you weren't even around when it was made: