De Formule 1-gemeenschap rouwt: Niki Lauda (70) overleden

Niki Lauda is na maandenlange gezondheidsproblemen overleden. De Oostenrijker, drievoudig wereldkampioen Formule 1 en adviseur van Mercedes’ fabrieksteam, stierf afgelopen nacht in het bijzijn van zijn familie en geliefden. Lauda is 70 jaar geworden.

Hij veroverde de wereldtitel in 1975, 1977 en 1984, in totaal won hij 25 Grands Prix. Zijn laatste overwinning boekte hij in 1985, de laatste editie van de GP van Zandvoort.

Lees ook: Niki Lauda (1949-2019): Bikkelhard, rechtdoorzee en een echte winnaar

Hoewel zijn gezondheidssituatie al maandenlang slecht was, komt zijn dood toch als een schok in de F1-gemeenschap die na Charlie Whiting opnieuw een gezicht verliest. De reacties stromen dan ook binnen op Twitter.

RIP the Great #NikiLauda. Here’s our last meeting in #MonteCarlo in ‘18 We first met while making the movie Rush. The F1 world knows of his grit & intensely competitive spirit, but that matched w/his keen intelligence & wisdom made him a distinctively remarkable man. a force. pic.twitter.com/SMizNt9Hge

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) May 21, 2019

Rest in peace Niki.
Shocking & very sad news. You’ll be missed legend. pic.twitter.com/9K9rutoF4G

— PIERRE GASLY 🇫🇷 (@PierreGASLY) May 21, 2019

RIP Niki 🙏🏼#legend pic.twitter.com/E2dM5emEYU

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) May 21, 2019

Everyone at Ferrari is deeply saddened at the news of the death of our dear friend Niki Lauda. He won two of his three world championships with us and will always be in our hearts and in those of all Ferrari fans. Our sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.#CiaoNiki pic.twitter.com/mbzZBNZiRZ

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 21, 2019

Shocked by the loss of Niki Lauda. He was a true legend in our sport and someone I had great respect for. May he rest in peace #RIPNiki pic.twitter.com/NCCduqNQuU

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) May 21, 2019

Can’t find the words.. a special person has passed away. 😔
Rest in Peace, Niki! pic.twitter.com/qDbPCqL4tf

— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) May 21, 2019

Oh no. The man himself is no longer with us 😢. A great human being, determined, relentless, talented, passionate, forthright, honest, humble, and great company. Living on borrowed time since his awful crash in 1976, he certainly made the absolute most of that gift. RIP Niki https://t.co/WRSsBL3TUV

— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) May 21, 2019

Very saddened to hear that Niki Lauda has passed away. One of the last proper heroes of our sport, a true gentleman, and a great human. RIP // Muy triste por el fallecimiento de Niki Lauda. Uno de los auténticos héroes de nuestro deporte, todo un señor y una gran persona. DEP pic.twitter.com/GZjI6yG5A8

— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) May 21, 2019

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye today. Not many have embodied our sport like you, with such courage and passion. You are an inspiration, a true great, a legend. Thank you Niki. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qZY7wcxf4l

— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) May 21, 2019

❤ Niki, 1949 – 2019 pic.twitter.com/tMPi7s2ODE

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 21, 2019

R.I.P Niki Lauda
A legend is gone 😭#legend #sad #F1 pic.twitter.com/Lo3afrlg19

— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) May 21, 2019

Rest in peace Niki Lauda.

Forever carried in our hearts, forever immortalised in our history. The motorsport community today mourns the devastating loss of a true legend.

The thoughts of everyone at F1 are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/olmnjDaefo

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 21, 2019

Typical Good Niki quote. #NikiLauda #f1 https://t.co/rqRSOhC4yE

— Damon Hill (@HillF1) May 21, 2019

Rest in peace Niki Lauda. A legend, champion and our 1985 winner.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/TtLjXACsPC

— Circuit Zandvoort (@CPZtweets) May 21, 2019

Dear Niki… pic.twitter.com/nsJk2z1qAM

— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) May 21, 2019

Very sad to hear the news this morning about Niki Lauda. He was a great character around the place we work. RIP #Legend

— Paul Di Resta (@PaulDiResta) May 21, 2019

RIP Niki. Gentleman, racer, champion and legend. A hero and inspiration. The word ‘great’ is often overused. In your case, it was never really enough. pic.twitter.com/ZjdTkL5REe

— David Croft (@CroftyF1) May 21, 2019

RIP Niki 😔 pic.twitter.com/atc0iQanAN

— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) May 21, 2019

A real loss to Sport and a big hole in our hearts. Courageous, chatty, and extremely funny. I am going to miss you being around the @F1 paddock but the legend of Niki Lauda will live on, because you were a very very special man. Thanks for all the memories #3timesWC @SkySportsF1 pic.twitter.com/aUIRML0lNv

— Johnny Herbert (@johnnyherbertf1) May 21, 2019

A champion. A legend. A friend.

Ruhe in Frieden Niki. pic.twitter.com/dZ7CJmi5nC

— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 21, 2019

We’ll miss you, Niki ❤️ #Legend pic.twitter.com/TkyzQezZ0A

— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) May 21, 2019

Niki Lauda was one of a kind. To live through so much, to achieve so much and to do it with a twinkle in the eye, glinting under that red cap. He was different class – Thoughts with his family, friends and colleagues. Remember him with a smile.

— Ted Kravitz (@tedkravitz) May 21, 2019

Saddened by the news of Niki Lauda. Not only a huge inspiration with the biggest comeback in sport so far, but a unique personality as well. Personally I’ll never forget him sticking up for me in Melbourne after my F1 career ended. Rest In Peace, Niki. pic.twitter.com/Hz0t3xSR36

— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) May 21, 2019

A life truly lived.

Niki Lauda, 1949-2019 pic.twitter.com/75pilo44cp

— Honda Racing F1 (@HondaRacingF1) May 21, 2019

Niki, you were an inspiration to us all – not just those in the F1 paddock, but across the motorsport world and beyond. Rest in peace, legend. pic.twitter.com/9GpDUhD0H6

— SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team (@RacingPointF1) May 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Niki we will all miss you legend 🙏!
All my thoughts to his family… pic.twitter.com/Cd6gdPUx9y

— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) May 21, 2019