  andreas nikolaus "niki" lauda (born 22 february 1949) is an austrian former formula one driver who was the three-time f1 world champion, winning in 1975, 1977 and 1984. more recently an aviation entrepreneur, he has founded and run two airlines (lauda air and niki). he was also a consultant for scuderia ferrari and team manager of the jaguar formula one racing team for two years. he is currently working as a pundit for german tv during grand prix weekends and acts as non-executive chairman of the mercedes amg petronas f1 team. lauda was seriously injured in a crash at the 1976 german grand prix at the nÃ¼rburgring, during which his ferrari burst into flames and he came close to death after inhaling hot toxic fumes and suffering severe burns. however he recovered and returned to race again just six weeks later at the italian grand prix. scars from the injuries he suffered have left him permanently disfigured. == early years in racing== niki lauda was born on 22 february 1949 in vienna, austria, to a wealthy family. his paternal grandfather was the viennese-born businessman hans lauda. lauda became a racing driver despite his family's disapproval. after starting out with a mini, lauda moved on into formula vee, as was normal in central europe, but rapidly moved up to drive in private porsche and chevron sports cars. with his caree
1949_births A1_Grand_Prix_people Austrian_Formula_One_drivers Austrian_racing_drivers BRDC_Gold_Star_winners BRM_Formula_One_drivers Brabham_Formula_One_drivers European_Formula_Two_Championship_drivers Ferrari_Formula_One_drivers Ferrari_people Formula_One_World_Drivers\'_Champions International_Motorsports_Hall_of_Fame_inductees International_Race_of_Champions_drivers Living_people March_Formula_One_drivers McLaren_Formula_One_drivers Sportspeople_from_Vienna World_Sportscar_Championship_drivers