Niki Lauda's career: driver, legend, businessman

Three-time Formula One world champion Lauda died at the age of 70

As well as winning the F1 drivers' title three times, Niki Lauda was also a successful businessman, starting his own airline, Laudamotion. AFP

The life and times of Niki Lauda, who has died at the age of 70:

1949: Andreas Nikolaus Lauda born on February 22 in Vienna, Austria.

1968: Without telling his parents, who disapprove of motor racing, Lauda wins his first race in a Mini.

1971: Takes out a loan to buy a seat in the new March team in Formula Two.

1971: Promoted to March Formula One team. Makes grand prix debut in Austria on August 15.

1973: Takes another loan to buy his way into BRM team.

1974: Gets a huge break when former BRM teammate Clay Regazzoni recommends him to Ferrari. Lauda finishes second in Argentina on Ferrari debut.

1974: Enjoys his first grand prix victory in Spain on April 28 in his fourth race for Ferrari.

1975: Emerges as Formula One's star driver as he becomes world champion for the first time, winning five of 14 grands prix and taking nine pole positions.

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Niki Lauda's career in pictures

Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70, his family said on Tuesday. Getty Images

Niki Lauda, seen here in 1975, went on to win the first of his two F1 titles at Ferrari the same year. Allsport

Mercedes GP driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, left, Mercedes GP non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, centre, and team chief Toto Wolff celebrate after winning the race and the constructors' championship for 2016 during the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit. Getty Images

Former driver Alain Prost and Niki Lauda at the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 20, 2015 in Spielberg, Austria. Getty Images

McLaren driver Niki Lauda celebrates winning the British Grand Prix on 18 July 1982 at the Brands Hatch circuit in Fawkham, Great Britain. Getty Images

As well as winning the F1 driver's title three times, Niki Lauda was also a successful businessman, starting his own airline, Laudamotion. AFP

Austrian Formula One driver Niki Lauda at the Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Park Zandvoort, Netherlands, September 1, 1977. He would win the F1 driver's title that year with Ferrari. Getty Images

Niki Lauda addresses a news conference presenting his new airline Laudamotion in Vienna, Austria March 16, 2018. Reuters

Niki Lauda made a remarkable comeback after missing two races after suffering horrific burns at the 1976 German Grand Prix, losing out on the title by a single point to his great rival James Hunt, right. Getty Images

Racing drivers Niki Lauda, left, and James Hunt were both were involved in a multiple-car collision and forced to retire at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix , May 21, 1978. Getty Images

Niki Lauda, Mercedes Formula One team non-executive chairman, looks at screens inside the team's garage during the qualifying session of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore on September 20, 2014. AFP

Niki Lauda of Jaguar Racing poses with their 2002 F1 car during a photo call before a Jaguar F1/HSBC launch held at the ANA Hotel, Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

McLaren drivers Alain Prost, of France, and Niki Lauda of Austria stand on the winners' podium after the 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. Prost finished in first place and Lauda in second. Lauda would go on to win that year's driver's title. Allsport

Mathias Lauda and father Niki Lauda do a test drive during the DTM 2006 German Touring Car Championship at the Hockenheim Circuit on April 9, 2006 in Hockenheim, Germany. Getty Images

Niki Lauda attends the 'Rush' World Premiere at Odeon Leicester Square on September 2, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images

From left: Christian Danner, Riccardo Patrese, Gerhard Berger, Niki Lauda, Jean Alesi, Nelson Piquet, Pierluigi Martini and Alain Prost pose on track after qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 20, 2015 in Spielberg, Austria. Getty Images

Niki Lauda, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport non-executive chairman, attends the 2016 Laureus World Sports Awards at Messe Berlin on April 18, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images

Formula One legend Austrian Niki Lauda attends the "legends race" at the racetrack in Spielberg on June 30, 2018, before the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix. AFP

In this file photo taken on August 25, 1985 F1 world champion Niki Lauda celebrates his victory on the podium after winning the Dutch Formula One Grand Prix in Zandvoort. AFP

In this file photo taken on May 27, 1976 Ferrari's Austrian Formula One driver and world champion Niki Lauda is seen in the pits on the Monaco race track. AFP

In this file photo taken on May 27, 1976 Austrian Formula One driver and world champion Niki Lauda sits in his Ferrari on the Monaco race track. AFP

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1976: Suffers horrific burns and lung damage in a fiery crash at the Nurburgring and receives last rites in hospital. Miraculously misses only two races and is pipped to the title by James Hunt.

1977: Wins his second world championship with Ferrari with consistent podium finishes and victories in South Africa and the Netherlands.

1978: Joins the Bernie Ecclestone-owned Brabham team for a reported $1 million salary.

1979: Retires from the sport during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix in September, saying he "no longer wishes to drive round in circles" for the struggling Brabham outfit.

1979: Founds Lauda Air, his first foray into the aviation industry.

1982: Returns to racing with McLaren.

1984: Becomes world champion for a third time by the smallest of margins - half a point over teammate Alain Prost.

1985: Records the last of 25 grand prix wins in the Netherlands and retires for good.

1991: Lauda Air Boeing 767 crashes in Thailand on May 26 killing all 223 people aboard.

1993: Returns to Formula One as a consultant for Ferrari.

2001-02: Appointed team principal for Jaguar.

2002: Sells Lauda Air to Austrian Airlines.

2004: Creates low-cost carrier Niki, which he sells to Air Berlin in 2011.

2012: Appointed non-executive chairman of Mercedes F1 and is instrumental in bringing in Lewis Hamilton to spark a run of five consecutive world championships.

2018: Has emergency lung transplant in August.

2019: Dies peacefully in his sleep on May 20.