# Niki Lauda

> Austrian former Formula 1 driver (1949–2019)

**Wikidata**: [Q78489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q78489)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niki_Lauda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/niki-lauda

## Summary
Niki Lauda was an Austrian Formula 1 driver, entrepreneur, and sporting director renowned for his racing career and founding of Lauda Air. A three-time Formula 1 World Champion, he is celebrated for his resilience and success in both motorsport and aviation.  

## Biography
- **Born**: 1949  
- **Nationality**: Austria  
- **Known for**: Austrian Formula 1 driver and founder of Lauda Air  
- **Employer(s)**: Lauda Air, Mercedes F1 Team, Niki, Lauda Air Italy, Laudamotion  
- **Field(s)**: Formula 1 racing, aviation, entrepreneurship  

## Contributions
- **Lauda Air** (1979–2013): Founded the Austrian airline, which operated until its closure in 2013.  
- **Laudamotion** (2004): Established the low-cost airline, later integrated into Ryanair Holdings.  
- **Mercedes F1 Team**: Served as a sporting director, contributing to the team’s management.  

## FAQs
- **What roles did Niki Lauda hold outside racing?**  
  Lauda was an entrepreneur (founding Lauda Air and Laudamotion) and a sporting director for the Mercedes F1 Team.  
- **What awards did Niki Lauda receive?**  
  He was honored with the Grand Gold Decoration of Styria (Austria) and the BBC World Sport Star of the Year.  
- **Which airlines was Niki Lauda affiliated with?**  
  He founded or led Lauda Air, Niki, Lauda Air Italy, and Laudamotion.  

## Why They Matter
Niki Lauda left a dual legacy in motorsport and aviation. His racing achievements, including three Formula 1 titles, inspired generations of drivers. As an entrepreneur, he transformed Austrian aviation through airlines like Lauda Air and Laudamotion, demonstrating visionary leadership. His role at Mercedes F1 underscored his influence in team management, ensuring his impact endured beyond his driving career.  

## Notable For
- Founder of Lauda Air (1979) and Laudamotion (2004).  
- Recipient of the Grand Gold Decoration of Styria and BBC World Sport Star of the Year.  
- Sporting director of the Mercedes F1 Team.  
- Key figure in Austrian aviation and Formula 1 history.  

## Body

### Early Life and Career  
Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda was born in 1949 in Austria. He rose to prominence as a Formula 1 driver, competing at the highest level of motorsport.  

### Racing Career  
Lauda’s primary identity was as a Formula 1 driver, though specific championship years are not detailed in the source material. His career spanned decades, earning him international recognition.  

### Entrepreneurial Ventures  
- **Lauda Air** (1979): Lauda founded this Austrian airline, which operated until 2013.  
- **Laudamotion** (2004): A low-cost airline later acquired by Ryanair Holdings, reflecting his business acumen.  
- **Niki and Lauda Air Italy**: He also launched these regional airlines, expanding his aviation footprint.  

### Leadership in Motorsport  
Lauda served as a sporting director for the **Mercedes F1 Team**, leveraging his expertise to guide team strategy and operations.  

### Awards and Recognition  
- **Grand Gold Decoration of Styria**: Awarded in Austria for his contributions.  
- **BBC World Sport Star of the Year**: Honored for his global sporting impact.  

### Legacy  
Lauda’s legacy bridges racing and aviation. His airlines reshaped European travel, while his racing career and leadership in Formula 1 cemented his status as a motorsport icon. Without Lauda, Austrian aviation and the strategic direction of Mercedes F1 would lack his innovative influence.

## References

1. [Le « Robot » Niki Lauda, triple champion du monde de formule 1, est mort](https://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2019/05/21/le-coureur-automobile-niki-lauda-est-mort_5464784_3382.html)
2. [F1 star Niki Lauda's family reveal he died surrounded by close relatives at Swiss clinic days after he was hospitalised for dialysis](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7051847/Niki-Lauda-Austrian-Formula-1-legend-dies-aged-70-period-ill-health.html)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. [El impresionante accidente por el que Niki Lauda recibió la extremaunción](https://www.semana.com/deportes/articulo/el-impresionante-accidente-por-el-que-niki-lauda-recibio-la-extremauncion/616382/)
8. [Despidiendo a una leyenda: así fue el funeral de Niki Lauda en Viena](https://www.tudn.com/formula-1/despidiendo-a-una-leyenda-asi-fue-el-funeral-de-niki-lauda-en-viena-fotos)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Discogs
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
13. Roglo
14. Salzburgwiki
15. Croatian Encyclopedia
16. Munzinger Personen
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Statsf1.com
19. CONOR.SI
20. BBC Things
21. Manipe F1
22. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
23. Quora
24. [Niki Lauda | Formula 1 Wiki | Fandom](https://f1.fandom.com/wiki/Niki_Lauda)
25. Golden
26. [Niki Lauda MBTI Personality Type: INTJ](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/1373/)
27. [Niki Lauda MBTI Personality Type: INTJ](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/38198/niki-lauda-autosport-mbti-personality-type)