Niki Lauda, former F1 champion, dies at 70 – ‘peacefully passed away with his family’
- Three-time Formula One world champion dies eight months after lung transplant
- ‘Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history’ say his former team McLaren
Legendary Formula One driver Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70, his family said in a statement released to Austrian media early on Tuesday.
“With deep sadness, we announce that our beloved Niki has peacefully passed away with his family on Monday,” the statement read.
Lauda’s death comes eight months after he underwent a lung transplant.
“His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable, his tireless zest for action, his straightforwardness and his courage remain,” added the statement.
“A role model and a benchmark for all of us, he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather away from the public, and he will be missed.”
Lauda won the Formula One drivers’ world championship three times, in 1975 and 1977 for Ferrari and in 1984 with McLaren.