McLaren unveil Lauda tribute sculpture

Ewan Gale
Friday 20 May 2022 08:19

McLaren has unveiled a statue in memory of three-time F1 world champion Niki Lauda.

The Austrian passed away three years ago today [May 20] having survived long past horrific injuries sustained in a crash at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 1976.

Lauda miraculously returned later that year and almost won the world championship but opted to retire from a rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji.

Two world championships for Ferrari in 1975 and 1977 were added to with McLaren after a two-year retirement.

The statue at the McLaren Technology Centre is the third in a series of tributes, following bronze sculptures of team founder Bruce McLaren and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna.

The sculpture was commissioned by long-time McLaren shareholder Mansour Ojjeh before his passing last year.

Lauda's third championship triumph is depicted in the piece, which includes a three-finger salute, with the statue sitting on McLaren's famous MCL Boulevard.

In honour of Niki Lauda, who passed away three years ago today, we’ve unveiled a bronze statue which will reside at the McLaren Technology Centre.

A three-time world champion, and a true legend of our sport, forever missed but always remembered. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/YIkuAeJwKp

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 20, 2022