Niki Lauda, Austrian Formula One racing driver and three-time Formula One world champion, died peacefully on May 20, 2019, aged 70. Niki Lauda was a fearsome and renowned Formula One driver, winning three championships during his career. He won the championship in 1975, 1977, and 1984, and was the only driver in the history of the sport to have been champion with both Ferrari and McLaren. Toward the end of a remarkable career, he started a successful airline, Lauda Air. After starting as a driver in 1971 and winning the championship four years later, Lauda survived a horrific crash near the Nürburgring circuit in 1976. He suffered severe burns, but returned to racing weeks later despite doctor's orders, losing the championship at the final race of the season by a single point to James Hunt. Lauda's brave return to the track made him a legendary figure in the racing world. Away from the track, Lauda was loved for his dry wit and self-deprecating humor. Off the track, he was known as a hard negotiator and a thorough businessman. He was an advocate for safety in racing and was unafraid to criticize Formula One authorities when he disagreed with their decisions. Lauda is survived by five children. He was predeceased by his long-term partner, Marlene.