1949
Born in Vienna, Austria.
Niki Lauda
Three-time Formula 1 World Champion
Niki Lauda after winning the British Grand Prix in 1982.
1968
Wins his first race in a Mini.
1971
Takes out a loan to buy a seat for the March Formula Two team. Later in the year he is promoted to the March Formula One team and makes his grand prix debut in Austria on August 15.
1973
Takes out another loan to buy his way into the BRM team.
1974
Gets recommended to the Ferrari team by former teammate Clay Regazzoni. Finishes second on his Ferrari debut in Argentina and then wins his first grand prix in Spain on his fourth race for Ferrari.
1975
Becomes world champion for the first time, winning five of 14 grand prix and taking nine pole positions. Becomes Formula One's star driver.
1976
Is read his last rites in the hospital after suffering horrific burns and lung damage in a fiery crash at the German grand prix. Makes a miraculous recovery and only misses two races which leads to him losing the title to James Hunt by one point.
1977
Wins his second world champinship with Ferrari.
1979
Retires from Formula One, saying that he "no longer wishes to drive around in circles."
1982
Joins the McLaren team to return to Formula One racing.
1984
Beats teammate Alain Prost by half a point to become world champion for a third time.
1985
Retires for good as a Formula One driver.
1993
Becomes a consultant for the Formula One Ferrari team.
2001
Appointed team principal for Jaguar
2012
Appointed non-executive chairman of Mercedes Formula One team and brings in Lewis Hamilton who wins five consecutive world championships.
2018
Undergoes an emergency lung transplant.
2019
Dies peacefully in his sleep.
1949-2019