Sports fans are paying tribute to F1 racing driver Niki Lauda. He passed away aged 70, surrounded by his family.
The Austrian driver was perhaps most famous for his remarkable return to the sport, just six weeks after a crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix.
He won the championship a year later and was celebrated for his resilience and professionalism.
He is widely regarded as a leading figure in the sport and held an impressive racing record.
Lauda competed in 171 races and won 25. He won three Formula One titles, held 24 pole positions and stepped up onto the podium 54 times.
Legend. Then, now and forever. ❤️ #RIPNiki
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— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 21, 2019
All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend, colleague and 1984 Formula 1 World Champion, Niki Lauda, has passed away. Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/Ndd9ZEfm6B
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 21, 2019
Former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan remembers him as a “total warrior” and a “prankster in every part of his life”.
“He was such a happy person”, he says. “He had that magical style that was infectious. You were attracted to him and that’s the way he was all his life”.
Current and former drivers are also paying their respects on Twitter.
A legend has left us. Rest in peace Niki ???? https://t.co/ciHVRzGWL1
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) May 21, 2019
Shocked by the loss of Niki Lauda. He was a true legend in our sport and someone I had great respect for. May he rest in peace #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/NCCduqNQuU
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) May 21, 2019
Niki Lauda’s rivalry with British driver James Hunt was at the centre of the 2013 award-winning biopic Rush.
The director of the film, Ron Howard, called him a “distinctively remarkable man”.
RIP the Great #NikiLauda. Here’s our last meeting in #MonteCarlo in ‘18 We first met while making the movie Rush. The F1 world knows of his grit & intensely competitive spirit, but that matched w/his keen intelligence & wisdom made him a distinctively remarkable man. a force. pic.twitter.com/SMizNt9Hge
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) May 21, 2019
