Tributes to the Niki Lauda have been flowing across the motorsport world after news of his death.
Lauda passed away peacefully in the presence of family, aged 70, with three Formula 1 world championships to his name.
The Austrian won two of those titles with Ferrari, the latter of which came a year after he cheated death in a fiery crash at the Nurburgring.
“Today is a sad day for F1,” began a tweet from Scuderia Ferrari in Italian.
“The big family of Ferrari learns with deep sadness the news of the death of his friend Niki Lauda, three times world champion, two with the Scuderia (1975-1977).
“You will remain forever in our hearts and in those of the fans. #CiaoNiki”
Oggi è un giorno triste per la F1. La grande famiglia della Ferrari apprende con profonda tristezza la notizia della morte dell’amico Niki Lauda, tre volte campione del mondo, due con la Scuderia (1975-1977). Resterai per sempre nei cuori nostri e in quelli dei tifosi. #CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/srQUUeDqLw
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 21, 2019
McLaren, with whom Lauda claimed the 1984 world championship, tweeted, “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.”
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
Damon Hill, the 1996 world drivers’ champion, simply described Lauda as a ‘legend’.
God’s speed indeed Matt. One word: Legend #NikiLauda #f1 https://t.co/NJwPLK4S1P
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) May 21, 2019
Mercedes, for which Lauda had been non-executive chairman up to the time of his death, has not yet issued a statement but has tweeted a photo.
❤ Niki, 1949 – 2019 pic.twitter.com/tMPi7s2ODE
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 21, 2019
Former Formula 1 driver Tim Schenken told Speedcafe.com that Lauda was a ‘fighter’.
#RIPNikiLauda
I’ll miss you mate.
@vladimirrys pic.twitter.com/Oy3xHAfyLB— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) May 21, 2019
Rest in peace Niki Lauda.
Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalised in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend.
The thoughts of everyone at F1 are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/olmnjDaefo
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2019
We are deeply saddened about the passing of Niki Lauda. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Lauda Family.
We will be forever grateful for Niki’s immeasurable impact on both Motorsports and @MercedesAMGF1. #NikiLauda pic.twitter.com/jLH1hqinyQ
— Daimler AG (@Daimler) May 21, 2019
Dear Niki… pic.twitter.com/nsJk2z1qAM
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) May 21, 2019
Shocking and sad news this morning. RIP Niki pic.twitter.com/2bnNdgKzMs
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) May 21, 2019
#RIP my friend #nikilauda nikilauda_official https://t.co/hYm8qp9cb3
— Rubens Barrichello (@rubarrichello) May 21, 2019
Saddened by the news of Niki Lauda. Not only a huge inspiration with the biggest comeback in sport so far, but a unique personality as well. Personally I’ll never forget him sticking up for me in Melbourne after my F1 career ended. Rest In Peace, Niki. pic.twitter.com/Hz0t3xSR36
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) 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
Today we have lost a motorsport legend and inspiration.
RIP Niki Lauda pic.twitter.com/0FoX4rqB3q
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) May 21, 2019
A real loss to Sport and a big hole in our hearts. Courageous, chatty, and extremely funny. I am going to miss you being around the @F1 paddock but the legend of Niki Lauda will live on, because you were a very very special man. Thanks for all the memories #3timesWC @SkySportsF1 pic.twitter.com/aUIRML0lNv
— Johnny Herbert (@johnnyherbertf1) May 21, 2019
R.I.P Niki Lauda
A legend is gone #legend #sad #F1 pic.twitter.com/Lo3afrlg19— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) May 21, 2019
With the TAG turbo engines designed and maintained by #Porsche, Niki Lauda won the @F1 world championship in 1984 #RIPNikiLauda pic.twitter.com/jLgFZEJ25T
— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) May 21, 2019
A life truly lived.
Niki Lauda, 1949-2019 pic.twitter.com/75pilo44cp
— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) May 21, 2019
Really sad to hear the news that Niki Lauda has died. One of the true racers ! Rest in peace Niki you will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/H0QCJhe7i0
— Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) May 21, 2019
I just heard the sad news of Niki Lauda, I can’t believe we just lost this F1 Legend today.
Rest in Peace #nikilauda @ Monaco https://t.co/310xIcsPqG— Loris Capirossi 65 (@LorisCapirossi1) May 21, 2019
Rest In Peace Niki, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/PV5T79zqpR
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) May 21, 2019
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Niki Lauda. We join the wider motorsport community as we offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends. A champion in so many ways. #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/MCSBTbToj9
— Walkinshaw Andretti United (@FollowWAU) May 21, 2019
So sad to hear that legend Niki Lauda has passed away… He was a great guy and incredible racing driver.. #RIP
— Mark Blundell (@markblundellf1) May 21, 2019
A legend has left us. Rest in peace Niki #nikilauda https://t.co/YZPnlzpEl0
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) May 21, 2019
We’re saddened to learn that Niki Lauda has passed away
A three-time @F1 world champion who epitomised bravery and brilliance. A true legend who transcended motorsport
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire F1 community pic.twitter.com/VfjLBvkaFp
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) May 21, 2019
RIP Niki Lauda, a true Icon and Motorsport legend. Thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. pic.twitter.com/v6bOMZfsWc
— Casey Stoner (@Official_CS27) May 21, 2019
Sad to hear about the loss of #NikiLauda … #legend … #ripniki
— Leigh Diffey (@leighdiffey) May 21, 2019
#RIPNikiLauda
What an absolute legend… pic.twitter.com/SIIuUAufPq— Will Davison (@will_davison) May 21, 2019
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Here is the man who gave us the real greatest sporting comeback in history. Rest In Peace Niki.
Yesterday #NikiLauda passed away. He was one of Austria’s greatest athletes and already a legend in his lifetime. For us he was a respectable competitor and founder of Lauda Air, which was taken over by Austrian Airlines in 2001. pic.twitter.com/5AlAO9Ty7n
— Austrian Airlines (@_austrian) May 21, 2019
“It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Niki Lauda,” said F1 boss Chase Carey.
“Formula 1 has lost not only one of the truly great exponents of the sport but also one of its heroes.
“His love of racing and the courage he demonstrated were simply extraordinary and he inspired so many fans.
“His passing is a great loss for the entire Formula 1 family and motorsport as a whole. All our thoughts go out to his family.”
#RIPNikiLauda
I’ll miss you mate.
@vladimirrys pic.twitter.com/Oy3xHAfyLB— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) 21 May 2019
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