Niki Lauda was the most respectful person in Formula 1. He played a role in Lewis Hamilton signing a contract with Mercedes, managing the conflict between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg and worked in Silver Arrows as a team consultant until his last. Lauda hadn’t grey zones, just black and white. Without compromises, he was direct, strictly going through at the track. However, what is important, Lauda taught people never to give up but instead to gain the maximum from failures. So, we explored famous Niki Lauda’s quotes, and here are powerful life lessons we’ve learned from.
#1. Appreciate Your Rivals – They Make You Better
If not James Hunt, Niki Lauda, perhaps, wouldn’t be who he was. Their rivalries in Formula 1 were beyond the edge. With fierce battles on the racing circuit, they deeply respect each other outside the track. It was love and hate at the same time.
He envied basking in the glory of Hunt because he lived life to the full, while pragmatic Lauda got used to thinking before acting.
However, to have a competitor makes you want to spare yourself whenever you fail, but Lauda’s thoughts were different. It was a more helpful way of thinking that we can learn. He couldn’t stand Hunt’s victories, but these made him want to outdo his main rival on and on. It was like a driving force.
Moreover, Lauda always assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents, exploring their minds and suiting those from his perspective. He learned from them.
So, the life lesson number one from Niki Lauda’s quotes is your rivals should remind you of your purpose and help you explore your weaknesses.
Besides, Ron Howard’s biographical sports drama, ‘Rush,’ gave the historical F1 controversy a fresh look and became the best movie on Formula 1, which we highly recommend you rewatch.
#2. Stay Calm About Things You Cannot Change
Alongside things we can change, like our personal growth, performance, and relations, there are many that we cannot. Instead of crumbling with self-pity, complaining, and disappointment, it is better to accept those and relax.
The great lesson that we can find in Niki Lauda’s history is his return after a nearly fatal crash in the 1976 German Grand Prix at Nürburgring.
After losing control of his Ferrari, colliding with the metal barriers, and crashing into another car, Lauda got the fire trap. The fire gobbled his body and devoured his lungs, spoiling his face forever.
However, despite the multiple burns and loss of hair and skin, he miraculously survived. It seemed he was lost for Formula 1, but after going through the terrible procedures, training, and watching Hunt’s victories, Lauda returned to racing in just 40 days.
The press and media were shocked, but he acted like nothing happened. Despite the public opinion and people buzzing about how he looked, he was unshaken to get into the car to win again.
Lesson two from Niki Lauda’s quote is to stay calm about things you cannot change and accept them as these are what already happened.
#3. Daily Routine Is The Stepping Stones Towards A Big Goal
For Niki Lauda, the daily routine was not something like a set of rituals and tasks, but it was a mix of steps towards the goal, while discipline is that one lever that holds you in the right direction.
If not for the discipline, Lauda wouldn’t have gotten well as soon. Unlikely, he would reach the podium at the United States Grand Prix the same year.
However, he was the most disciplined driver on the grid in Formula 1 70-80s. It was his power, while his actions were always analyzed steps to achieve his goal. So, no wonder he became that lucky guy who won three world championships and marked Formula 1 with 25 victories.
So, know the power of discipline – that is lesson number three.
#4. Do, Not Talk
It is closely related to Enzo Ferrari’s mindset, as he also pointed ‘most important things could be said in a few lines.’
Instead of talking, Niki Lauda preferred to be focused, as he believed that high concentration is part of mental toughness, which is a key to making dreams come true.
Thus, when Lauda decided to start a career in Formula 1, he went to the bank for a loan without saying anything to the family, as he didn’t count on their support.
Although he looked relaxed at the podium celebrating the victory, he was focused on the next goal.
The fourth life lesson from Lauda’s quotes that can be a good life lesson is to stop talking too much about plans, wishes, and dreams. Instead, it is better to spend this time thinking about how to achieve all those.
Share not your plans until you make it a reality.
#5. Love Your Fails
Another thing that definitely can change your mind is that Lauda thought of happiness as the enemy. He was convinced the success didn’t make sense for personal growth.
So, failures and unluckily are the best driving forces for anyone. It is hard to accept but impossible not to agree.
The fails make you better, as you see when your weaknesses are.
Reflecting on the mindset of the current Formula 1, you can see that drivers who got their seats easier than others are weaker than those who had to pass through enormous difficulties, like Max Verstappen, who had to overcome obstacles in childhood or Lewis Hamilton, who had struggled the most through the beginning of the career.
Simplifying this Niki Lauda’s quote – that the big winners come from the greatest losers through dedicated work. The rest of that you can suit in the way you wish. However, it is the most valuable lesson from Lauda’s quotes we’ve learned.
Takeaways
Niki Lauda became more than a Formula 1 three-time champion and businessman; he stood as an example of how powerful and unwavering humans can be.
Thanks to him, we know our opponents are those who make us better, and we have to be proud of them. At the same time, at his great example, we understand that there are many things in life we cannot change, and it shouldn’t bother us.
Another point is to keep discipline and remember that it is the key to success. Also, we shouldn’t be happy too much with our achievements, as these make us weak, but love the failures that bring us to our better version.
