Formula One legend Niki Lauda passes away at the age of 70

New Delhi: Three-times Formula One champion Niki Lauda has passed away at the age of 70, months after having a lung transplant, Austrian media reported.

Lauda had been battling with health issues since mid-last year, including a lung transplant in August that had him in the hospital for two months.

He was then hospitalised again, briefly, at the beginning of 2019 after contracting a flu infection. There had been reports in Austrian media recently that he had been receiving kidney dialysis in Switzerland.

Formula One posted the following humble tribute to the racing legend

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. pic.twitter.com/olmnjDaefo

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2019

Niki Lauda debuted in 1971, won his first race in 1974 with Ferrari, and then claimed a maiden title in 1975. In 1976, he was lucky to survive a fiery crash at the Nürburgring, which left him badly burned. Shockingly, he missed only two races as a result. He missed the Championship by a single point to rival McLaren’s James Hunt.

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