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![Racing legend: Niki Lauda became Ferrari Formula 1 World Champion in 1975 and 1977 - in 1984 he won a third world title in the McLaren.]()
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Racing legend: Niki Lauda became Ferrari Formula 1 World Champion in 1975 and 1977 – in 1984 he won a third world title in the McLaren.
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imago images / ZUMA Press
![Funeral service: The Formula 1 legend was honored on May 29, 2019 in the St. Stephan Cathedral in Vienna.]()
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Funeral service: The Formula 1 legend was honored on May 29, 2019 in the St. Stephan Cathedral in Vienna.
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![Reporter Roger Benoit with Lauda, who reads the LOOK at that time.]()
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Reporter Roger Benoit with Lauda, who reads the LOOK at that time.
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DUKAS
![Vettel slams the silver arrow door.]()
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Vettel slams the silver arrow door.
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Lukas Gorys
![Dietrich Mateschitz turns 76 on the anniversary of Lauda's death.]()
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Dietrich Mateschitz turns 76 on the anniversary of Lauda’s death.
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His body had no defenses on May 20, 2019. Niki Lauda was allowed to leave this earth in Zurich worthy of a year ago. Not only the Formula 1 world mourned for a man who experienced everything and never gave up.
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His motto accompanied him for a proud 70 years: “Never start to stop, never stop to start.” In the end there was no time to think about new goals.
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GP comeback of the century
Already during the lung transplant in August 2018, death knocked on Niki’s doors – as in his fire accident in 1976 at the Nürburgring. In Formula 1, Lauda fought back 44 years ago with the last oiling, and after 40 days in Monza got into the Ferrari. Two days later he finished fourth!
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It was the GP comeback of the century. The Viennese smiled: “I won’t release my cockpit that quickly!”
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In 1975 and 1977 he became world champion on Ferrari, 1984 on McLaren TAG turbo. With 15 red wins, Lauda in Maranello is still the second best driver behind Schumi (72 successes).
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Thoughts, pictures, moments, feelings
«You are no longer where you were. But you are wherever we are. And there are always traces of your life somewhere: thoughts, images, moments and feelings. They will always remind us of you and never make you forget. »
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These words by the French writer Victor Hugo (1802 – 1885) were on a card that every companion received at the funeral on May 29 in Vienna.
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Time to wash Hamilton’s cap
Fortunately, Niki Lauda no longer had to experience the corona crisis with his weakened body. And from somewhere up there, the Austrian will definitely follow the arduous steps of his Formula 1 into normality.
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The supervisory board still had a few goals with Mercedes. He would definitely wash Lewis Hamilton – not for the first time – if the Briton actually asked for a 2021 raise if the contract was extended.
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Fortune teller, pioneer, visionary
Niki always looked to the future, often offended with his clear statements (which hardly bothered him). He was a pioneer and visionary on the ground and in the air.
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And sometimes even a fortune teller. BLICK remembers one of our last talks in Brazil in November 2017. We had breakfast when a young, humble person greeted us warmly.
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Russell probably slams the door on Vettel
Lauda: «Did you see him? It is George Russell, the greatest talent we have ever had at Mercedes. One day he will be world champion! »
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And the current Williams Mercedes driver (2018 Formula 2 champion) could finally close the Silver Arrow door for Sebastian Vettel in 2021. Niki Lauda would have fought for it!
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PS: Life goes on. On Wednesday, Lauda’s great Formula 1 opponent, Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, will be 76 years old.
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