What do you think?
Rate this book
Niki Lauda: The Biography
The most comprehensive and detailed biography of Formula One legend Nick Lauda ever published, as told by Maurice Hamilton, who knew him for more than forty years. From the famous rivalry with James Hunt in the 1970s, as depicted in the film Rush, to working with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, Lauda's career helped define modern F1.
In 1975, Lauda became world champion for the first time. Driving for Ferrari, he looked to retain his title in 1976 and was dominating the campaign ahead of James Hunt in his McLaren. Then, on 1 August, he was involved in a horrendous crash at the Nurburgring and was badly burned and in hospital he was given the last rites, so severe were his injuries. Remarkably, six weeks later, he was back racing again, determined to show he could still compete. As they came to the final race of the season in Japan, Lauda held a narrow lead in the championship, but in appalling weather conditions, Lauda withdrew from the race, while Hunt went on to secure the points he needed to become world champion. It was high-speed drama at its best.
Lauda came back to win the title again in 1977 and then, having temporarily retired, he won it for a third time in 1984, driving for McLaren. When he finally finished as an F1 driver, he started his own airline, before he returned to the sport in various management roles, latterly as chairman of Mercedes, where he helped in the negotiations to bring Lewis Hamilton to the team.
Maurice Hamilton, who first met Lauda in 1971, draws together the remarkable story of one of the greatest stars in Formula One history. Based on interviews with friends and family, rival drivers and those he worked with later in his career, Niki Lauda is a superb and definitive tribute to a remarkable character, who died in May 2019 at the age of seventy.
In 1975, Lauda became world champion for the first time. Driving for Ferrari, he looked to retain his title in 1976 and was dominating the campaign ahead of James Hunt in his McLaren. Then, on 1 August, he was involved in a horrendous crash at the Nurburgring and was badly burned and in hospital he was given the last rites, so severe were his injuries. Remarkably, six weeks later, he was back racing again, determined to show he could still compete. As they came to the final race of the season in Japan, Lauda held a narrow lead in the championship, but in appalling weather conditions, Lauda withdrew from the race, while Hunt went on to secure the points he needed to become world champion. It was high-speed drama at its best.
Lauda came back to win the title again in 1977 and then, having temporarily retired, he won it for a third time in 1984, driving for McLaren. When he finally finished as an F1 driver, he started his own airline, before he returned to the sport in various management roles, latterly as chairman of Mercedes, where he helped in the negotiations to bring Lewis Hamilton to the team.
Maurice Hamilton, who first met Lauda in 1971, draws together the remarkable story of one of the greatest stars in Formula One history. Based on interviews with friends and family, rival drivers and those he worked with later in his career, Niki Lauda is a superb and definitive tribute to a remarkable character, who died in May 2019 at the age of seventy.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2020
66 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 4, 2024
For those of you with zero interest in motor racing and blokey stuff, please don't fall into the mistaken belief that this is 'one of those' books.
Yes, it is about a Formula 1 racing driver, but the driver in question goes far far beyond that narrow category.
Here is a life lived, an exceptional life, lived by an extraordinary person. And this is brought alive by the skilled pen of Maurice Hamilton.
There is much to enjoy and rejoice in the passage of Nikki Lauda from young upstart to patriarch.
This was one of those books where I attempted to pace myself in order to prolong the pleasure. Fat chance!
Yes, it is about a Formula 1 racing driver, but the driver in question goes far far beyond that narrow category.
Here is a life lived, an exceptional life, lived by an extraordinary person. And this is brought alive by the skilled pen of Maurice Hamilton.
There is much to enjoy and rejoice in the passage of Nikki Lauda from young upstart to patriarch.
This was one of those books where I attempted to pace myself in order to prolong the pleasure. Fat chance!
March 6, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about Niki Lauda. As a fan of F1 I truly admire him as a driver for his courage and his determined character to pass over difficult situations. After reading this book I admire him as a person.
March 2, 2024
Great tribute to the late Niki Lauda such a legend and inspiration to us all in the F1 community RIP
December 31, 2020
a really decent one
worth the time
worth the time
January 29, 2021
Pitkän linjan formulatoimittaja Maurice Hamiltonin "Niki Lauda: Formulalegendan elämäkerta" (Minerva, 2020) pureutuu kolminkertaisen F1-maailmanmestarin vaiheisiin kilpa-autojen ratissa sekä lentoyhtiön omistajana. Lapsuutta ja nuoruutta tai ihmissuhteita käsitellään lähinnä sivulauseissa. Suorapuheisuudestaan tutun ja kaikenlaista turhaa lätinää inhonneen itävaltalaisen urassa riittää silti dramaattisia käänteitä kuin Monacon katuradalla.
Laudan uralta muistetaan parhaiten kolme mestaruutta Ferrarin ja McLarenin rateissa, mutta ehkä vieläkin paremmin hänen kakkossijansa Formula-1 -mestaruustaistossa vuonna 1976. Kauden aikana hallitseva maailmanmestari joutui hirvittävään onnettomuuteen vaarallisella Nürnburgringin radalla. Hän oli menettää henkensä saatuaan palovammoja ja hengitettyään myrkyllisiä kaasuja, mutta toipui ja palasi radalle puolitoista kuukautta myöhemmin. Maailmanmestaruuden voitti kuitenkin James Hunt, joka ratkaisi mestaruuden itselleen dramaattisessa Japanin osakilpailussa. Ron Howardin ohjaama leffa Rush (2013) aiheesta kannattaa muuten katsoa sekin!
Lauda saavutti urallaan vielä kaksi mestaruutta, vuosina 1977 ja 1984. Jälkimmäisenä vuonna ykkössija irtosi pienimmällä mahdollisella erolla eli vain puolella pisteellä, vaikka Alain Prost olikin kuljettajista nopeampi (minkä Lauda myös suoraan myönsi). Vuosi 1986 jäi hänen viimeisekseen, minkä jälkeen hän keskittyi johtamaan nimeään kantavaa lento-yhtiötä. Vailla onnettomuuksia ei sekään sujunut. Lauda Airin omistaman koneen putoamista Thaimaassa v. 1991 käsitellään runsaasti.
Lauda ehti vielä toimia useamman formula-tallin taustavaikuttajana ennen kuin menehtyi toukokuussa 2019.
Hamilton kirjoittaa sujuvaa tekstiä ja kirja on melko nopealukuinen (mitenkäs muutenkaan), mutta en tiedä suosittelisinko kirjaa kuitenkaan sellaisille maallikkolukijoille, jotka eivät formulasirkusta tunne jo vähän entuudestaan.
Laudan uralta muistetaan parhaiten kolme mestaruutta Ferrarin ja McLarenin rateissa, mutta ehkä vieläkin paremmin hänen kakkossijansa Formula-1 -mestaruustaistossa vuonna 1976. Kauden aikana hallitseva maailmanmestari joutui hirvittävään onnettomuuteen vaarallisella Nürnburgringin radalla. Hän oli menettää henkensä saatuaan palovammoja ja hengitettyään myrkyllisiä kaasuja, mutta toipui ja palasi radalle puolitoista kuukautta myöhemmin. Maailmanmestaruuden voitti kuitenkin James Hunt, joka ratkaisi mestaruuden itselleen dramaattisessa Japanin osakilpailussa. Ron Howardin ohjaama leffa Rush (2013) aiheesta kannattaa muuten katsoa sekin!
Lauda saavutti urallaan vielä kaksi mestaruutta, vuosina 1977 ja 1984. Jälkimmäisenä vuonna ykkössija irtosi pienimmällä mahdollisella erolla eli vain puolella pisteellä, vaikka Alain Prost olikin kuljettajista nopeampi (minkä Lauda myös suoraan myönsi). Vuosi 1986 jäi hänen viimeisekseen, minkä jälkeen hän keskittyi johtamaan nimeään kantavaa lento-yhtiötä. Vailla onnettomuuksia ei sekään sujunut. Lauda Airin omistaman koneen putoamista Thaimaassa v. 1991 käsitellään runsaasti.
Lauda ehti vielä toimia useamman formula-tallin taustavaikuttajana ennen kuin menehtyi toukokuussa 2019.
Hamilton kirjoittaa sujuvaa tekstiä ja kirja on melko nopealukuinen (mitenkäs muutenkaan), mutta en tiedä suosittelisinko kirjaa kuitenkaan sellaisille maallikkolukijoille, jotka eivät formulasirkusta tunne jo vähän entuudestaan.
July 6, 2020
I’ve read a couple of biographies of the incredible Niki Lauda over the years, and they’ve been perfectly good telling of the main events of this amazing man’s life.
But while this book dispenses with some of the familiar stories of Lauda’s early life and his love of driving, it’s written by someone with a deep understanding of the F1 world.
This is a knowledgeable, deeply researched, and thoughtful biography. It’s informative and a great read - really enjoyed it.
But while this book dispenses with some of the familiar stories of Lauda’s early life and his love of driving, it’s written by someone with a deep understanding of the F1 world.
This is a knowledgeable, deeply researched, and thoughtful biography. It’s informative and a great read - really enjoyed it.
December 21, 2023
Z początku ciężko było mi wbić się w treść książki i zrozumieć to co było w niej napisane. Jednak książka napisana jest w dosyć przystępny sposób i bardzo dobrze pokazuje to co autor miał na myśli- chcąc pokazać Nikiego jako osobę dążącą do perfekcji, będącą do bólu szczerą, bardzo mądrą, pracowitą, uczącą się na swoich błędach. Książka nie tylko pokazuje historię 3-krotnego mistrza świata F1, ale także można zobaczyć jak świat motorsportu działał 60 lat temu, jak zmieniły się zasady, samochody, bezpieczeństwo, cała otoczka świata Formuły 1. Książka wzbogacona wypowiedziami osób, które miały przyjemność współpracować z Laudą dodaje wyjątkowość książce, ale także głównemu bohaterowi.
March 23, 2023
An amazing book. I love lauda and this was extremely interesting to read
January 16, 2022
Urheilutoimittaja Maurice Hamiltonin Formula 1 -legendasta kirjoittama elämäkerta olisi voinut olla paremmin kirjoitettu ja toimitettu. Nyt kolmeenkymmeneen kuuteen lukuun jaoteltu stoori on pitkälti epätasainen sikermä lähinnä kisatunnelmia ja lehdistä poimittuja muiden kuskien ja formulaväen sitaatteja, joita ripotellaan sinne sun tänne.
Autourheilun ystävät saattavat muistaa vakavan onnettomuuden Nürburgringillä vuonna 1976, jolloin Niki Laudan elämä oli hiuskarvan varassa. Hän kuitenkin selvisi onnettomuudesta pahoja palovammoja kärsineenä, ja keuhkotkin palautuivat, joskin vanhemmalla iällä keuhkojen siirto oli edessä.
Lauda tunnettiin värikkäänä hahmoja, ja varakkaan itävaltalaisen pankkipohatan vesan edesottamukset uran varhaisessa vaiheessa oli ehkä kirjan parasta antia. Temperamenttisuutta ja suorapuheisuutta toistellaan lukuisin esimerkein uran eri käänteissä aina viimeisiin vuosikymmeniin lentobisneksessä ja Mercedeksen formulatallin asiantuntijan roolissa. Sitä ennen kokemusta ja mainetta oli kertynyt kolmen maailmanmestaruuden ja lähes parinsadan kisastartin verran.
Kovia kilpakumppaneita siteerataan Huntista Prostiin, ja saapa vuoden 1982 maailmanmestari Keke Rosbergkin pariin otteeseen puheenvuoron. Silti Lauda henkilönä jää aika kovin etäiseksi, eikä perhe-elämästä ja kuvaa miehestä kilparatojen ja bisneskuvioiden ulkopuolella juuri syvennetä ollenkaan. Lukujen nimeäminen alkoi lukiessa myös tökkiä, varsinkin loppua kohden, kun terveysvaikeudet lisääntyivät kohtalokkaasti, niin sekin luku piti nimetä otsikolla ”Viimeinen kierros”.
Autourheilun ystävät saattavat muistaa vakavan onnettomuuden Nürburgringillä vuonna 1976, jolloin Niki Laudan elämä oli hiuskarvan varassa. Hän kuitenkin selvisi onnettomuudesta pahoja palovammoja kärsineenä, ja keuhkotkin palautuivat, joskin vanhemmalla iällä keuhkojen siirto oli edessä.
Lauda tunnettiin värikkäänä hahmoja, ja varakkaan itävaltalaisen pankkipohatan vesan edesottamukset uran varhaisessa vaiheessa oli ehkä kirjan parasta antia. Temperamenttisuutta ja suorapuheisuutta toistellaan lukuisin esimerkein uran eri käänteissä aina viimeisiin vuosikymmeniin lentobisneksessä ja Mercedeksen formulatallin asiantuntijan roolissa. Sitä ennen kokemusta ja mainetta oli kertynyt kolmen maailmanmestaruuden ja lähes parinsadan kisastartin verran.
Kovia kilpakumppaneita siteerataan Huntista Prostiin, ja saapa vuoden 1982 maailmanmestari Keke Rosbergkin pariin otteeseen puheenvuoron. Silti Lauda henkilönä jää aika kovin etäiseksi, eikä perhe-elämästä ja kuvaa miehestä kilparatojen ja bisneskuvioiden ulkopuolella juuri syvennetä ollenkaan. Lukujen nimeäminen alkoi lukiessa myös tökkiä, varsinkin loppua kohden, kun terveysvaikeudet lisääntyivät kohtalokkaasti, niin sekin luku piti nimetä otsikolla ”Viimeinen kierros”.
August 1, 2024
Ended up reading this in a single day, so I suppose it was rather captivating.
While the book is strictly chronological, almost all of Lauda's childhood is omitted. Instead, Hamilton's book starts straight with Niki's first F2 races and ticks various races, years, and events at metronomical speed until the end. It gives a good overview of Lauda's life and career (and even for a hardcore fan of the sport, surely offers something new), but does not really go into that much detail on anything apart from his crash at the 'Ring. I think it strikes a good balance between being readable for the general audience and giving enough small info for the armchair experts. However, if you are looking for the complete race-by-race biography of Lauda's career, this is not it.
Oh, and I read the Finnish translation that had a few issues, such as flat bottom car referring to the rear of the car, instead of the floor, but otherwise a very good translation.
While the book is strictly chronological, almost all of Lauda's childhood is omitted. Instead, Hamilton's book starts straight with Niki's first F2 races and ticks various races, years, and events at metronomical speed until the end. It gives a good overview of Lauda's life and career (and even for a hardcore fan of the sport, surely offers something new), but does not really go into that much detail on anything apart from his crash at the 'Ring. I think it strikes a good balance between being readable for the general audience and giving enough small info for the armchair experts. However, if you are looking for the complete race-by-race biography of Lauda's career, this is not it.
Oh, and I read the Finnish translation that had a few issues, such as flat bottom car referring to the rear of the car, instead of the floor, but otherwise a very good translation.
December 31, 2021
Żadna ksiązka nie wywołała u mnie tylu emocji co ta biografia. Jestem dosłownie zachwycona, nie pamiętam kiedy sobie dawkowałam książikę, bo tak nie chciałam jej kończyć. Niesamowite uczucie. W polskim wydaniu jest sporo błędów redakcyjnych, ale za połową jakość już się stabilizuje. Warto przymknąć na to oko, bo treść jest warta poznania.
Niki to był niesamowity facet, więc i opowieść o nim musi taka być. Świetna konstrukcja książki, dużo wplecionych wypowiedzi, zachowana chronologia i spójność, jednocześnie skupienie się na tym co istotne i ciekawe.
Świetna lektura, polecam każdemu, ponieważ Lauda jest bardzo inspirującą postacią, jednak przyznam, że ciężko będzie się w nią wczuć nie mając zupełnie pojęcia o F1.
9/10
Niki to był niesamowity facet, więc i opowieść o nim musi taka być. Świetna konstrukcja książki, dużo wplecionych wypowiedzi, zachowana chronologia i spójność, jednocześnie skupienie się na tym co istotne i ciekawe.
Świetna lektura, polecam każdemu, ponieważ Lauda jest bardzo inspirującą postacią, jednak przyznam, że ciężko będzie się w nią wczuć nie mając zupełnie pojęcia o F1.
9/10
June 30, 2023
finally writing a review on here for my 1 goodreads friend (hi maria) took me ages to finish this one (school got in the way) overall it was enjoyable! very into non fiction at the moment but am not sure i like the authors writing style tho
April 9, 2025
Bardzo porządna biografia. Niezbyt wyczerpująca jeśli chodzi o sportową stronę Laudy, ale za to dogłębna w przedstawieniu jego osobowości i fenomenu społecznego. Nie unika słabości, tak jak nie unikał ich Niki. Otwiera mały uchył na magię F1 lat 70. i ery turbo. Ponad 400 stron a chciałoby się tego świata doświadczyć jeszcze więcej.
November 14, 2024
Niki Lauda had a fascinating life, even in comparison to other motorsports world champions. Maurice Hamilton does a very good job explaining the details and chronology of the events that lead to Lauda becoming a world champion, recovering from a horrific accident, building an airline, dealing with tragedy, and much more. There's something missing, though. Hamilton's prose is just a little too journalistic for me. At times, it felt like reading an exceptionally long magazine article. The details are all here, but there's not much sense of the emotion or atmosphere of anything going on. Undoubtedly, the best parts of the book are the extended excerpts from interviews with Lauda himself. His direct, unembellished way of speaking somehow says far more about the man himself than any flowery descriptive passage ever could. Some of the other interviews, however, felt a little inessential and I couldn't help but wonder if they just happened to be sitting around in one of Hamilton's old notebooks. Perhaps, I am being a little overly critical. This is a very good sporting biography. It's just that it never really transcends the format in the way that its subject, in my opinion, deserves.
September 4, 2020
This isn't usually the type of book I go for, but I kept seeing that it was available when I was searching through the library catalogue for something to read, and I thought it might fill the gap between F1 races. It certainly did; talking through specific races, maintaining a good balance between technical details and more general observations, and taking the reader almost up to the present day. I've only started following F1 in the last few years, so I don't know that much about past drivers and races. This book was perfect for filling a little of that gap too.
Not really knowing anything about Niki Lauda, I was surprised to find that the book covered Lauda's career off the racetrack too, but Maurice Hamilton does an excellent job of tying it all together.
Not really knowing anything about Niki Lauda, I was surprised to find that the book covered Lauda's career off the racetrack too, but Maurice Hamilton does an excellent job of tying it all together.
September 15, 2023
The first book in quite a while that I have fully engrossed myself in and just zoomed through from start to finish. It does what all great biographies SHOULD do, and starts right at the moment it starts getting interesting. It's over 50% interviews and first-hand accounts by the man himself and the significant people whose lives he affected. Brilliant man and excellently explained through the pen of Maurice Hamilton (no relation).
Even if you're not into the "boring cars go vroom in a circle beep beep" world of men driving fast cars and having sex for breakfast, I would highly recommend this biography above just about all others I've had the pleasure of learning about.
Even if you're not into the "boring cars go vroom in a circle beep beep" world of men driving fast cars and having sex for breakfast, I would highly recommend this biography above just about all others I've had the pleasure of learning about.
February 23, 2021
How to cover everything I feel about Lauda and his life story? To start with, the day of his first return back at Monza in 1975 was the very day of my birth... Not relevant to his story but mine to his. He won his first championship that year.
The last championship he won was the first year I started actively watching F1. He was my first F1 hero. I didn't remember, or even seem to have seen, his scars, I only noticed them when I was much older and more aware of peoples looks, I guess.
I learnt a lot about him here and truly appreciate it.
The last championship he won was the first year I started actively watching F1. He was my first F1 hero. I didn't remember, or even seem to have seen, his scars, I only noticed them when I was much older and more aware of peoples looks, I guess.
I learnt a lot about him here and truly appreciate it.
November 5, 2025
A detailed look at the racer, the businessman, the icon and the teacher that was Niki Lauda.
The book covers all major aspects of Niki's career and life outside of racing giving you an insight into the man and his legacy. At times it does not shy away and can be quite critical of the protagonist, it attempts to portray as accurate picture as possible.
It is a shame there is so little regarding his childhood years, but I guess that's forgivable when the rest of the book is so jam packed with content.
An interesting read into the yesteryear of F1 and Ferrari.
The book covers all major aspects of Niki's career and life outside of racing giving you an insight into the man and his legacy. At times it does not shy away and can be quite critical of the protagonist, it attempts to portray as accurate picture as possible.
It is a shame there is so little regarding his childhood years, but I guess that's forgivable when the rest of the book is so jam packed with content.
An interesting read into the yesteryear of F1 and Ferrari.
July 5, 2024
I’m a little bit blown away. I let myself take a while to make myself through this book because I didn’t want it to be over too quickly. And it didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend to anyone even mildly interested in Motorsport/racing drivers/F1. It’s detailed and technical but it captures what I can only describe as the essence of an incredible man. Five stars very much deserved for putting together such a book.
July 9, 2020
This review should be three and a half stars. With topic like great Niki, I have a feeling the book could be much more of a story telling, radiate more energy which Niki represented and much less crude facts and quotes from everywhere.
But for F1 fan, this is a must read anyway, as Niki was trully a legend that will be impossible to repeat in the world of today.
But for F1 fan, this is a must read anyway, as Niki was trully a legend that will be impossible to repeat in the world of today.
March 3, 2021
I'm not sure if this was the most comprehensive biography of Lauda, it was interesting, if a little on the hagiography side, the author came across, intentional or not as a Lauda fan and this coloured the ;ages of the book.
It was a decent read, but I would be interested to read a differing biography at some point to get a different perspective.
It was a decent read, but I would be interested to read a differing biography at some point to get a different perspective.
July 29, 2021
I don’t usually read biographies but this one was amazing. Maurice Hamilton did an amazing job telling the story of the legendary Niki Lauda. I’ve only recently started to become fan of F1 and that made me love it more!
Highly recommend this book, even if you are not a big fan of F1. Niki Lauda is such an interesting character, especially with his way of thinking.
Highly recommend this book, even if you are not a big fan of F1. Niki Lauda is such an interesting character, especially with his way of thinking.
August 5, 2021
I was given this for my birthday from a friend.
I enjoyed reading this. There were no dull moments. It concentrates on Lauda's professional career so does not discuss his childhood or early racing career and there isn't much about his private life either.
It is an entertaining read with many anecdotes from his friends and colleagues.
I enjoyed reading this. There were no dull moments. It concentrates on Lauda's professional career so does not discuss his childhood or early racing career and there isn't much about his private life either.
It is an entertaining read with many anecdotes from his friends and colleagues.
October 6, 2020
I never really followed Niki's involvement in F1 until he joined Mercedes, but even then he always had an air of greatness about him. This book provides the story behind that greatness, and why he was always treated with such respect.
April 6, 2021
Great character sketch, told by a lot off F1 involved who worked with Niki Lauda.
This book misses Niki Lauda's early history and stays away from detailed description of Lauda Air.
Nice to read.
This book misses Niki Lauda's early history and stays away from detailed description of Lauda Air.
Nice to read.
May 6, 2023
If you know about Niki Lauda, then this book will give you a glimpse of what kind of man he was. But for someone with a bit more knowledge - well, it's basically everyone and their friends telling their opinion about the man.
February 7, 2024
Erittäin hyvä kirja, vaikka formulat ei juurikaan kiinnosta. Ostin kirjan puolisolle lahjaksi, mutta hänen kehujensa perusteella päätin lukea itsekin. Niki Lauda oli erityinen mies. Suosittelen lukemaan, vaikka formulat ei kiinnostaisikaan.
September 25, 2024
Other than watching the film ‘Rush’ I had very minimal previous knowledge about the life and legacy of Niki Lauda - something I’m ashamed about as an f1 one fan. Hamilton presents Lauda as quite the character, determined, intelligent and excellently witty. Surely a sporting inspiration to many.
June 11, 2020
One of the best F1 biographies ever I read.
June 27, 2020
Meilleure que l'autobiographie mais ça manque de détails sur la dernière partie de vie de ce champion...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews