Formula 1
Niki Lauda speaks at Autosport
Three-time World Driving Champion (1975, '77, '84) Niki Lauda took time to speak to the multitudes at the Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham, England. There ostensibly to join Prof. Syd Watkins in a lecture on safety in motorsport, ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Three-time World Driving Champion (1975, '77, '84) Niki Lauda took time to speak to the multitudes at the Autosport International at the NEC in Birmingham, England. There ostensibly to join Prof. Syd Watkins in a lecture on safety in motorsport, Lauda spoke on the Autosport stage about the sport that he has been involved with for nearly four decades.
The "rat" as he was none reflected on the changes in the sport since he last drove, primarily with respect to safety advancements. He cited the fact that in addition to impro9ving the safety for racers at all levels, the sport has become more family friendly with the nearly complete elimination of gruesome accidents, and that it has been a large factor in the sports overall growth.
"In my day two or three drivers were killed every season," Lauda said. "Today, thankfully, that is not the case."
Lauda was also asked for his opinion on the future of Formula One. The always candid Lauda responded that rapid development of the sport made long term prediction impossible. He conceded however that the improving overtaking in races in the short term would enable the sport to maintain its dramatic growth.
While on the subject of the growth of F1, Lauda hailed the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis as a significant addition to the schedule. The positive promotion that F1 has gained around the event and its return to America can only be seen as a boon to the sport, according to Lauda.
-George Tamayo
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article AT&T sponsors Jaguar Racing Team
Next article CHAMPCAR/CART: Rebaque, architect and former racer/team owner, passed away Friday
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Niki Lauda
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Niki Lauda's championship-winning Ferrari 312T returns in Austria as son takes wheel
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Niki Lauda's championship-winning Ferrari 312T returns in Austria as son takes wheel
Mercedes welcome Niki Lauda's family at F1 Austrian GP: "A legacy that lives on"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Mercedes welcome Niki Lauda's family at F1 Austrian GP: "A legacy that lives on"
Latest news
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
24 min
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
1 h
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC WEC 1 h
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe