So long, farewell: A look at the journey of F1 legend Niki Lauda

Legendary F1 driver Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70 his family said in a statement released to Austrian media on Tuesday With deep sadness we announce that our beloved Niki has peacefully passed away with his family on Monday the statement read Laudas death comes eight months after he underwent a lung transplantHis 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 missedDeeply saddenedAustrian Lauda won the F1 drivers world championship three times in 1975 and 1977 for Ferrari and in 1984 with McLaren All at McLaren are deeply saddened to learn that our friend colleague and 1984 F1 World Champion Niki Lauda has passed away Niki will forever be in our hearts and enshrined in our history RIPNiki his former team tweeted on their verified account Lauda had been nonexecutive chairman at Mercedes F1 since 2012 and he was instrumental in bringing in Lewis Hamilton to spark a run of success that has brought five consecutive world drivers and constructors championships A legend has left us Rest in peace Niki nikilauda tweeted 2009 world champion and former McLaren driver Jenson Button as social media exploded with the news of his deathFormer motorcycling world champion Casey Stoner said on Twitter RIP Niki Lauda a true Icon and Motorsport legend Thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this timeMiraculous returnDuring his driving career Lauda suffered horrific injuries on August 1 1976 when having already won five races that season his vehicle burst into flames on the Nurburgring in Germany He had severe burns to his face and hands and inhaled toxic fumes which damaged his lungs Despite being given the last rites in hospital he made an almost miraculous recovery to race again just six weeks later still bandaged and in intense painHe missed only two races that season but was unable to hold off the challenge of Britains James Hunt who went on to claim his only world title The rivalry between the two men which demonstrated the Austrians extraordinary courage and fighting spirit was portrayed in the 2013 film Rush by American director Ron HowardLauda underwent an emergency lung transplant in a Vienna hospital in August 2 last year after contracting an infection in his lungs which were scarred and weakened by the effects of inhaling high temperature smoke during the 1976 accidentYears before he had also received kidney transplants When one failed a second kidney was donated by his thengirlfriend Birgit Wetzinger a former flight attendant who he married in 2008 Besides their twins a boy and a girl born in 2009 Lauda also had three other sons from previous relationshipsThe pro journey of Niki Lauda1968 Without telling his parents who disapprove of motor racing Lauda wins his first race in a Mini1971 Takes a loan to buy a seat in the March team in F2 In the same year he got promoted to March F1 team Makes Grand Prix debut in Austria on August 151973 Takes another loan to buy his way into BRM team1974 Gets a huge break when former BRM teammate Clay Regazzoni recommends him to Ferrari1974 Enjoys his first Grand Prix victory in Spain1975 Emerges as F1s star driver as he becomes world champion for the first time1976 Suffers horrific burns and lung damage in a fiery crash at the Nurburgring and is read the last rites in hospital Miraculously misses only two races and is pipped to the title by James Hunt 1977 Wins his second world championship with Ferrari1978 Joins the Brabham team for a reported 1 million salary1979 Retires from the sport during practice for the Canadian GP saying he no longer wishes to drive round in circles for the struggling Brabham outfit1982 Returns to racing with McLaren1984 Becomes world champion for a third time1985 Records the last of 25 GP wins in the Netherlands and retires for goodMercedes loses a guiding light Boss WolffLondon Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda is irreplaceable Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said in reaction to the death of the Austrian threetime world champion at the age of 70 Our Mercedes team has also lost a guiding light said Wolff in a team statement As a teammate over the past six and a half years Niki was always brutally honest and utterly loyal It was a privilege to count him among our team and moving to witness just how much it meant to him to be part of the teams success Niki you are quite simply irreplaceable there will never be another like youCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates