Niki Lauda (1949–2019)

Niki Lauda was an inspiration and a pillar to what the sport of F1 became, putting safety and performance together. What he went through during his accident and what he continued to do in building other teams and drivers up is nothing short of remarkable. Since passing in 2019, his presence has been sorely missed in the paddocks on race weekends. He will certainly never be forgotten. This is an interesting look into his life from Niki’s accounts and those closest to him. It’s certainly worth it to read or listen to. Also, if you haven’t already, watch Ron Howard’s Rush, which shows the rivalry and camaraderie between Niki Lauda and James Hunt and the horrific incident at the Nurburgring in 1976.… (mehr)

This is more about the "back" than it is about the "hell" of Niki Lauda's terrible accident at the German Grand Prix in 1976, so the title could be considered a bit misleading. The movie Rush is more of a "to hell and back" story. Still, it was interesting to read about Lauda's experiences with various teams and his technical expertise. The translation certainly let Lauda's voice shine through; as I read I could hear the text spoken in his voice (or at least the voice of Daniel Brühl's version of him). Recommended primarily for hardcore Formula 1 fans.… (mehr)