Niki Lauda's career in quotes: 'I had a reason to look ugly. Most people don't.'
Niki Lauda's career in quotes: 'I had a reason to look ugly. Most people don't.'
Niki Lauda was not only one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1, he was also one of the most outspoken sportsmen in history.
Always known for an acerbic comment about his rivals, he always gave the media a piece of his mind - but was also respectful of the drivers both from his generation and more recently.
LAUDA IN QUOTES
On his accident: "I have a reason to look ugly. Most people don't." (Interview with Graham Bensinger)
Lauda famously refused to race in Fuji in the last race of the 1976 season in protest at having to race in dangerous conditions.
He said: "For me it was ridiculous. Because of a stupid TV deal we had to go out there and risk our lives. No one could see anything. It was a disaster.
“So then I decided for myself that television was not a good enough reason for me to race. So I told Ferrari beforehand I would do one lap, which I did, and then I stopped. I have no regrets." (Guardian)
On James Hunt: "We had a respectful, nice relationship. We trusted each other. He would not push you off the road, which in those days was important."(Telegraph)
On which era he would have preferred to have raced in: "Today. They get 10 times the money and no risk. At the same time it gets boring at some stage." (Guardian)
On his approach to racing: "I was someone who placed great value on the detail. That was always the case, even in my days as a racing driver." (Reuters)
On Michael Schumacher: "He was the greatest driver of them all. He was the perfect racer, with speed, instinct and a great technical understanding." (Guardian)
After his crash: "People ask me 'why did you never have an operation, to which I would say, where the f**k do I find an ear? It's a very simple answer." (Reuters)
On watching himself in the movie, Rush: "At the time I got upset with those people when they never looked in my eyes. But in the movie, I was the spectator, on the other side. And I tell you, they were right." (Reuters)
And finally, on his famous red cap: "The cap is my protection from stupid people looking at me stupidly."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 14 minutes ago
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
- Yesterday 21:57
F1 Sprint Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 21:27
Related news
Son of F1 legend will race with iconic title winning livery
Ex-team boss reveals details of F1 legend's SHOCK departure from team
Former team boss reveals 'NUMBER ONE' driver he worked with
Mercedes pay HEARTFELT tribute to ‘friend’ and F1 legend Niki Lauda
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860