F1 champion Niki Lauda dies aged 70

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda has passed away. He was suffering from a prolonged illness and had received a lung transplant just eight months back. He was 70 years old. 

The Austrian won his first F1 world title in 1975. During the 1976 German grand prix at the Nurburgring, Lauda crashed and suffered severe burns and damaged his lungs. Despite the horrific accident, Niki was back racing just 6 weeks later at the Italian grand prix. He went on to win the championship in 1977 and 1984. Lauda's illustrious F1 career spanned 171 races of which, he won on 25 occasions. 

In 1993, Lauda took a consulting managerial role at Ferrari. In 2001 and 2002, he was the team principal of the Jaguar F1 team. More recently, Lauda was appointed the non-executive chairman at the Mercedes Formula 1 team. 

Source: The Guardian