Four years later, Niki Lauda remains a legend.

Niki Lauda passed away on May 20, 2019, and four years later, he remains revered both on and off the racetrack. Here are some of the highlights of the Austrian's career.

The death of Niki Lauda on May 20, 2019, just days before the Monaco Grand Prix, sent shockwaves through the world of Formula 1 and the entire motorsport community. The three-time world champion left behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire new generations of drivers.

A hero before he was a champion

Lauda won his first title in 1975 with Ferrari and started the 1976 season as the undisputed favorite. That year, however, would become the defining chapter of his career. While his rivalry with James Hunt made headlines, it was the accident at the Nürburgring that made Lauda a legend. After losing control, his car crashed into the barriers, caught fire, and left him with severe burns and respiratory injuries. His fellow drivers rushed to his aid, but doctors warned that his lungs were severely damaged. Amazingly, six weeks later, Lauda was back in Monza, in the cockpit, and still in contention for the championship. The final race, at Fuji, Japan, took place in torrential rain, and after two laps, Lauda chose to retire, unwilling to risk his life after the trauma he had just endured. James Hunt won the title, while Lauda's decision confirmed his status as both a courageous and cautious figure. He won a second championship in 1977, again with Ferrari, cementing his place among the greats of the sport.

The final act at McLaren

After a brief hiatus, Lauda joined McLaren in 1982 and added a new chapter to his story. The 1984 season was marked by a fierce duel with French driver Alain Prost, and Lauda won his third world title by half a point. He retired at the end of 1985, having won championships with both Ferrari and McLaren, a career that few could have imagined at the outset.

Influence at Mercedes

As a non-executive director at Mercedes, Lauda played a decisive role in the team's future. In particular, he persuaded Lewis Hamilton to leave McLaren, then in decline, to join Mercedes at the end of the 2012 season, using a mixture of promises and a little bluff. The gamble paid off: Hamilton won his second world title in 2014 and added five more with the German team. Beyond recruitment, Lauda acted as a mentor and stabilizing figure for the drivers, offering them advice and maintaining discipline within the team.

On and off the track, Niki Lauda continued to write his legend. Even after his death in May 2019, his memory lives on: his red cap, which he once wore to hide his severe burns, remains a powerful symbol of his indomitable spirit.