In 1976, Niki Lauda, who won the Formula 1 world championship three times, had a terrible crash during the Nurburgring race. Even though his helmet got torn off during the crash, he survived. His car, a Ferrari 312T2, was hit by another driver’s car after the crash, making things even worse. Luckily, four fellow drivers helped him get out of his burning car after it crashed on the track’s Bergwerk section.
Lauda wanted the drivers to boycott the race before it started because he thought the track wasn’t safe enough. He also worried because there weren’t enough doctors or medical helicopters, and the weather forecast predicted rain on race day. But his idea didn’t get enough support, so the race went on as planned.
Despite being badly burned and having trouble breathing, Lauda returned to racing just 40 days later, at the Italian Grand Prix. He didn’t win, but finishing fourth was a big achievement considering what he had been through.
Now, Lauda’s helmet from that race will be auctioned off by Bonhams|Cars Automobilia Department at the Miami GP on May 4th. Some of the money from the auction will go to UNICEF, a charity chosen by Lauda’s family. Lauda passed away in 2019 after not only being a racing champion but also running airlines and managing Formula 1 teams like Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes.
Lukas Lauda, Niki’s son, said, “We are delighted that our father’s legacy continues to provide help and assistance to those in most need.”
Since 1976, the helmet has been kept in private collections of car and Formula 1 memorabilia. It will be shown in the Bonhams|Cars preview tent at the Miami International Autodrome during the race weekend.
James Garguilo, from Bonhams|Cars Automobilia, said, “We are privileged to present this historically significant helmet, as a testament to Niki Lauda’s legacy as a driver and as a champion for driver safety.”
Even though Lauda didn’t win the championship in 1976, he won it twice later in 1977 and 1984.
The auction will happen right on the track at the Miami International Autodrome on May 4th, with about 25 collector cars also being auctioned. These cars will be shown around the Miami Campus during the race weekend for fans to see. Other F1 helmets worn by famous drivers like Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, and others will also be up for auction.
