To say three-time Formula One champion Niki Lauda had his share of health issues would be a colossal understatement. His most recent under the knife adventure? A lung transplant.
Yikes.
However, his most famous body beat down came from an explosive crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix. Despite suffering brutal burns in the accident, the loss of an ear, and even given his last rites, the Austrian madman Lauda shocked the sports world, put on his big boy firesuit and was back in the car six weeks later.
Fast forward to September 2013 when Niki joined the Freaks’ Kenny & Crash to promote the Ron Howard directed “Rush”. An epic true story of the rivalry between Lauda and fellow driver James Hunt who had their issues both on and off the track.
Indeed. One of the best sports comeback stories ever written...and lived.
Why’d Lauda have such a complex after leaving the hospital? What’s he think of American driving legends Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt? And who’s the best F1 driver ever according to Lauda?
Listen to the full interview here