Niki Lauda
born 22 Feb 1949 · raced 1971–1985
170Races
25Winsjoint 10th all-time
54Podiums16th all-time
24Polesjoint 13th all-time
81Top 10s
4.25Avg Position
8.43Avg Grid Pos
3Driver Titlesjoint 7th all-time · 5 constructor titles
Niki Lauda, an Austrian icon, epitomized resilience and calculated precision throughout his illustrious Formula 1 career. Known for his methodical approach and unwavering determination, he secured 3 World Championships. His miraculous return to racing just weeks after a fiery crash at the Nürburgring in 1976 stands as one of the sport's most legendary tales of courage. Lauda's analytical mind and fierce rivalry, particularly with James Hunt, defined an era of Grand Prix racing. He competed in 170 races, achieving 25 victories and 54 podium finishes.
All-time records
Where Niki Lauda ranks in the all-time Formula 1 record books.
- 1st in Closest F1 Championship Finishes (0.5 points)
- =6th in Most Consecutive F1 Podiums (9 consecutive podiums)
- =6th in Most Consecutive F1 Pole Positions (6 consecutive poles)
- =7th in Most F1 Drivers’ Championships (3 titles)
- =10th in Most Different Circuits Won At in F1 (15 circuits)
- =10th in Most F1 Race Wins (25 wins)
Top Teams
Team | Wins | Pod.Podiums | PtsPoints (as awarded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | 15 | 32 | 242.5 |
| McLaren | 8 | 15 | 128 |
| Brabham | 2 | 7 | 44 |
| Brabham-Alfa Romeo | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| BRM | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| March-Ford | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brabham-Ford | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top Circuits
Circuit | Wins | Avg ptsAvg Points (as awarded) |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Park Zandvoort | 3 | 5.11 |
| Brands Hatch | 3 | 5 |
| Long Beach | 1 | 4.5 |
| Dijon-Prenois | 1 | 4.2 |
| Scandinavian Raceway | 2 | 3.67 |
| Zolder | 2 | 3.25 |
| Hockenheimring | 1 | 3 |
| Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 2 | 2.83 |
| Kyalami | 3 | 2.75 |
| Circuit de Monaco | 2 | 2.73 |
Points are Grand Prix points as awarded at the time (sprints excluded); average points are per race started.
Most-shared teammates. Each link opens their head-to-head.
- Clay Regazzoni54 shared races · Compare with Clay Regazzoni (1974)
- John Watson44 shared races · Compare with John Watson (1978)
- Alain Prost30 shared races · Compare with Alain Prost (1984)
- Carlos Reutemann15 shared races · Compare with Carlos Reutemann (1977)
- Jean-Pierre Beltoise14 shared races · Compare with Jean-Pierre Beltoise (1973)
- Nelson Piquet12 shared races · Compare with Nelson Piquet (1979)
| Season | Championship position | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 109 places lower than 1984 | 1 | 14 |
| 1984 | 19 places higher than 1983 | 5 | 72 |
| 1983 | 105 places lower than 1982 | 0 | 12 |
| 1982 | 5 | 2 | 30 |
| 1979 | 1410 places lower than 1978 | 0 | 4 |
| 1978 | 43 places lower than 1977 | 2 | 44 |
| 1977 | 11 place higher than 1976 | 3 | 70 |
| 1976 | 21 place lower than 1975 | 5 | 68 |
| 1975 | 13 places higher than 1974 | 5 | 64.5 |
| 1974 | 413 places higher than 1973 | 2 | 38 |
| 1973 | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| 1972 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1971 | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| Season | Team | Matchup | Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | McLaren | Lauda vs ProstNiki Lauda vs Alain Prost | 4–10 |
| 1984 | McLaren | Lauda vs ProstNiki Lauda vs Alain Prost | 8–8 |
| 1983 | McLaren | Lauda vs WatsonNiki Lauda vs John Watson | 7–7 |
| 1982 | McLaren | Lauda vs WatsonNiki Lauda vs John Watson | 8–6 |
| 1979 | Brabham-Alfa Romeo | Lauda vs PiquetNiki Lauda vs Nelson Piquet | 6–4 |
| 1978 | Brabham | Lauda vs WatsonNiki Lauda vs John Watson | 9–7 |
| 1977 | Ferrari | Lauda vs ReutemannNiki Lauda vs Carlos Reutemann | 11–4 |
| 1976 | Ferrari | Lauda vs RegazzoniNiki Lauda vs Clay Regazzoni | 8–5 |
| 1975 | Ferrari | Lauda vs RegazzoniNiki Lauda vs Clay Regazzoni | 9–4 |
| 1974 | Ferrari | Lauda vs RegazzoniNiki Lauda vs Clay Regazzoni | 7–8 |
| 1973 | BRM | Beltoise vs LaudaJean-Pierre Beltoise vs Niki Lauda | 8–6 |
| 1973 | BRM | Lauda vs RegazzoniNiki Lauda vs Clay Regazzoni | 5–8 |
| 1972 | March | Lauda vs PetersonNiki Lauda vs Ronnie Peterson | 2–10 |
| 1972 | March | Beuttler vs LaudaMike Beuttler vs Niki Lauda | 5–4 |
23 circuitsShow all▾
- Circuit Park Zandvoort
- Brands Hatch
- Kyalami
- Scandinavian Raceway
- Zolder
- Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
- Circuit de Monaco
- Long Beach
- Dijon-Prenois
- Hockenheimring
- Autódromo José Carlos Pace
- Jarama
- Watkins Glen
- Red Bull Ring
- Circuit Paul Ricard
- Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez
- Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet
- Nürburgring
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
- Silverstone Circuit
- Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
- Detroit Street Circuit
- Mosport International Raceway
198514 races, 1 winMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Accident | 0 | |
| 8 | Turbo | 0 | |
| 16 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 10 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | Engine | 0 | |
| 12 | P5 | 2 | |
| 10 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 6 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 12 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 17 | Engine | 0 | |
| 14 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 8 | P4 | 3 | |
| 7 | Engine | 0 | |
| 9 | Fuel system | 0 |
Earlier seasons1971–1984 (12 seasons)▾
198416 races, 5 winsMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | P2 | 6 | |
| 15 | P4 | 3 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 6 | P2 | 6 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 7 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| 5 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 10 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 8 | P2 | 6 | |
| 8 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 9 | P1 | 9 | |
| 5 | Engine | 0 | |
| 14 | Water pump | 0 | |
| 8 | P1 | 9 | |
| 6 | Electrical | 0 |
198314 racesMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | P114 places worse than season average (P6.7) | 0 | |
| 13 | Engine | 0 | |
| 13 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 19 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 14 | P6 | 1 | |
| 18 | Disqualified | 0 | |
| 15 | P6 | 1 | |
| 19 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 18 | P136 places worse than season average (P6.7) | 0 | |
| 15 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 18 | Spun off | 0 | |
| 12 | Wheel bearing | 0 | |
| 23 | P25 places better than season average (P6.7) | 6 | |
| 9 | P25 places better than season average (P6.7) | 4 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1983 (P6.7, retirements excluded).
198214 races, 2 winsMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Engine | 0 | |
| 10 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 4 | P3 | 4 | |
| 10 | P5 | 2 | |
| 9 | P84 places worse than season average (P3.7) | 0 | |
| 5 | P1 | 9 | |
| 5 | P4 | 3 | |
| 11 | Clutch | 0 | |
| 10 | Collision | 0 | |
| 12 | Engine | 0 | |
| 4 | Disqualified | 0 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 | |
| 5 | Collision | 0 | |
| 13 | P4 | 3 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1982 (P3.7, retirements excluded).
197914 races▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
Brabham-FordCanadian GPCanadian Grand Prix | — | Withdrew | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoItalian GPItalian Grand Prix | 9 | P4 | 3 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoDutch GPDutch Grand Prix | 9 | Withdrew | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoAustrian GPAustrian Grand Prix | 4 | Engine | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoGerman GPGerman Grand Prix | 7 | Engine | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoBritish GPBritish Grand Prix | 6 | Brakes | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoFrench GPFrench Grand Prix | 6 | Spun off | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoMonaco GPMonaco Grand Prix | 4 | Accident | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoBelgian GPBelgian Grand Prix | 13 | Engine | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoSpanish GPSpanish Grand Prix | 6 | Water leak | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoUnited States GP WestUnited States Grand Prix West | 11 | Accident | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoSouth African GPSouth African Grand Prix | 4 | P6 | 1 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoBrazilian GPBrazilian Grand Prix | 12 | Gearbox | 0 |
Brabham-Alfa RomeoArgentine GPArgentine Grand Prix | 23 | Fuel system | 0 |
197816 races, 2 winsBrabham▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 5 | Engine | 0 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | P3 | 4 | |
| 4 | Accident | 0 | |
| 3 | Engine | 0 | |
| 4 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Engine | 0 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| 6 | Engine | 0 | |
| 3 | Accident | 0 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Ignition | 0 | |
| 1 | Engine | 0 | |
| 10 | P3 | 4 | |
| 5 | P2 | 6 |
197715 races, 3 winsFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | P4 | 3 | |
| 5 | P2 | 6 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 9 | P5 | 2 | |
| 15 | Handling | 0 | |
| 11 | P2 | 6 | |
| 6 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Injured | 0 | |
| 1 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| 13 | P3 | 4 | |
| 4 | Fuel system | 0 |
197614 races, 5 winsFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Withdrew | 0 | |
| 5 | P3 | 4 | |
| 6 | P86 places worse than season average (P2.5) | 0 | |
| 5 | P4 | 3 | |
| 2 | Accident | 0 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | Engine | 0 | |
| 5 | P3 | 4 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | P2 | 6 | |
| 4 | P2 | 6 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1976 (P2.5, retirements excluded).
197514 races, 5 winsFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P3 | 4 | |
| 1 | P6 | 0.5 | |
| 1 | P3 | 4 | |
| 3 | P85 places worse than season average (P3.3) | 0 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P2 | 6 | |
| 5 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | Accident | 0 | |
| 4 | P5 | 2 | |
| 4 | P5 | 2 | |
| 4 | P6 | 1 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1975 (P3.3, retirements excluded).
197415 races, 2 winsFerrari▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 2 | Accident | 0 | |
| 1 | Engine | 0 | |
| 1 | Engine | 0 | |
| 1 | Accident | 0 | |
| 1 | P5 | 2 | |
| 1 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 1 | Ignition | 0 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P1612 places worse than season average (P4.1) | 0 | |
| 25 | Engine | 0 | |
| 8 | P2 | 6 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1974 (P4.1, retirements excluded).
197314 racesBRM▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Fuel pump | 0 | |
| 8 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 15 | Accident | 0 | |
| 5 | Accident | 0 | |
| 11 | Fuel pump | 0 | |
| 9 | P12 | 0 | |
| 17 | P9 | 0 | |
| 15 | P13 | 0 | |
| 6 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 14 | P54 places better than season average (P9.4) | 2 | |
| 11 | Tyre | 0 | |
| 10 | Engine | 0 | |
| 13 | P8 | 0 | |
| 13 | Oil pressure | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1973 (P9.4, retirements excluded).
197212 racesMarch▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | P197 places worse than season average (P12.1) | 0 | |
| 19 | Disqualified | 0 | |
| 20 | P13 | 0 | |
| 22 | P10 | 0 | |
| 24 | Oil leak | 0 | |
| 19 | P9 | 0 | |
| 21 | Halfshaft | 0 | |
| 25 | P12 | 0 | |
| 22 | P16 | 0 | |
| 25 | Differential | 0 | |
| 21 | P75 places better than season average (P12.1) | 0 | |
| 22 | P11 | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Niki Lauda’s average finish in 1972 (P12.1, retirements excluded).
19711 raceMarch-Ford▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Handling | 0 |