Motorsport organizer, Formula 1, have joined car designers, Ferrari and McLaren in paying tribute to racing legend, Niki Lauda, who died aged 70 on Monday.
The Austrian died peacefully on Monday, his family announced in a statement.
Lauda won F1 titles with Ferrari and McLaren in 1975, 1977 and 1984,
“His unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable,” the statement added.
Writing about him, Formula 1 wrote: “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.”
Italian carmakers, Ferrari also tweeted, saying: “Everyone at Ferrari is deeply saddened at the news of the death of our dear friend Niki Lauda. He won two of his three world championships with us and will always be in our hearts and in those of all Ferrari fans. Our sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.#CiaoNiki”
British motor racing giants, McLaren, wrote: “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”
Born to a wealthy family in Vienna, Lauda had been expected to follow his father into the paper manufacturing industry. Instead, he went into motorsport and joined Ferrari in 1974.
Outside of racing, he founded three Austrian airlines: Lauda Air, Fly Niki, and Laudamotion. He also served as a non-executive chairman of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix.
