Niki Lauda: a genius beyond the racetrack

Although he won three world championship titles as a driver, Niki Lauda also earned a reputation as a genius in the pits.

His track record speaks for itself. Whether behind the wheel, at the helm of a racing team, or as a non-executive director, Niki Lauda has left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport.

A difficult start

The Austrian often expressed his weariness with the sport, but he was never able to detach himself from it completely. In 1982, after declaring that he was “tired of going round in circles,” he returned to the starting grid. Seven years after his second retirement in 1985, Lauda was invited by Scuderia president Luca di Montezemolo to return to the paddock as a consultant.

“We had to start from scratch, and I tried to build on the values that had characterized my first experience: innovation, organization, work ethic, determination, and the will to win,” recalls di Montezemolo. The Italian's assessment proved to be correct. Lauda, always curious and perceptive, persuaded Jean Todt to bring him into Ferrari. The partnership proved fruitful: under Todt's leadership, the Scuderia regained its former glory, winning five drivers' world championships with Michael Schumacher and six constructors' world championships.

An inglorious period

After four years in Maranello, Lauda left his mark, closed the door once again, and worked as a consultant for German and Austrian television before embarking on a new comeback.

In 2001, he joined the Jaguar team, which was far from the top of the standings: it finished ninth in the championship, a long way from its hoped-for podium ambitions. Internal turmoil and pressure from engine supplier Ford compounded the difficulties. Some commentators, such as British journalist Nigel Roebuck, were skeptical: “It's a joke. What does Niki Lauda know about running a racing team?” Nevertheless, the season showed signs of progress. The following year, Jaguar's difficulties continued and Ford, growing increasingly impatient, began cutting staff, including the “computer” and 36 other people, among them Günther Steiner. In 2003, Lauda launched an airline, FlyNiki, which he then sold in 2011 before embarking on a new challenge.

Six crowns

As mentioned, Lauda couldn't stay away from F1 for long. In 2012, he became non-executive chairman of Mercedes, once again demonstrating his talent for spotting opportunities. Frustrated by McLaren's reliability issues that season, Lewis Hamilton was approached by Lauda, who convinced him through a series of meetings and phone calls. “If you stay at McLaren forever, that's fine, but where's the challenge in your life? I've moved from team to team, and those who do that never get bored. If you could be world champion in a Mercedes, a factory team, can you imagine what that would do for your image?” asked Lauda. The move paid off. 2013 was a year of adjustment, and with the arrival of hybrid engines, Mercedes began to dominate, largely thanks to Hamilton. The Briton won five drivers' titles, Nico Rosberg added another, and the team won six constructors' championships. Under the leadership of Toto Wolff, Mercedes is at the pinnacle of the sport, a dynasty built in part thanks to Lauda's ability to recruit one of the best drivers in the world.