McLaren unveils bronze tribute to Niki Lauda

©McLaren

40

Three years ago today, Formula 1 and the motorsport family at large mourned the loss of the great Niki Lauda.

In a tribute to the Austrian's memory, McLaren unveiled on Friday a bronze statue of the team's late former driver and three-time world champion created by well-known artist Paul Oz

The work sits in the main hallway at Woking alongside statues of the papaya squad's founder Bruce McLaren and Ayrton Senna also created by Oz.

Lauda raced with McLaren in the second part of his F1 career, from 1982 to 1985, winning with the team eight of his twenty-five Grands prix wins and the world title in 1984.

"I'm honored today to unveil Niki Lauda, three-time world champion," said McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown in a short video on social media.

"An absolute hero, spoke his mind, a true racer and a big contributor. Some who will forever be missed but will always be remembered here at the McLaren technology Centre."

Lauda passed away peacefully on May 20, 2019 at a private clinic in Switzerland at the age of 70 after losing his battle to fully recover from a lung transplant undergone during the previous summer.

Niki won't be far from everyone's thoughts this weekend, especially those of the Mercedes team for which F1's ultimate warrior is sorely missed.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.