Formula 1 racing, like any other sport, requires a set of skills to be honed. Successive drivers, champions, and influential people maintain a unique mindset. A desire to be better than others; the spirit of competition; the constant need to practice new skills to deal with a sport filled with fears and politics. Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda had the experience of water to fire in racing. He had a special view of everyday life. Until his last day, Lauda worked as a Mercedes team consultant. He managed the conflict between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Here is the collection of the most inspirational Niki Lauda quotes and the life lessons that can take your everyday life to the next level!
- #1: Stay focused on your day-to-day activities as stepping stones towards a big goal.
- #2: Keep discipline and it will temper you.
- #3: Appreciate your rivals; they make you better.
- #4: Love your failures.
- #5: Forget what they say about you and be open to starting something from scratch.
- #6: Calculate the risk before pushing the limits.
- #7: Relax.
Ron Howard’s biographical sport drama, ‘Rush’, came into the world in 2013 and made a splash. One of the best movies on Formula 1, ‘Rush’ provides a fresh look at the historical rivalry between two iconic personalities and their contrasting approaches to racing and life. The Niki Lauda-James Hunt rivalry is the golden narrative of Formula 1’s history, as well as one of the most controversial decades in Formula 1. It sheds light on Lauda’s strengths. Austrian was more than just a racer and more than the world champion. He is the only driver to have won championships with both McLaren and Ferrari teams.
#1: Stay focused on your day-to-day activities as stepping stones towards a big goal.
Motivational Quotes by Niki Lauda
Every big path starts with small steps. That’s what we do every day. Any successful person knows there were many challenges to get where they are at. Understanding that daily training and routine are stepping stones towards a big goal, the ability to focus and practice – these are features of the winner. And Niki Lauda quotes are proofs.
I am someone who places great value on the detail. That was always the case, even in my days as a racing driver.
It seemed the world of racing closed the doors for Niki Lauda, and the possibility of a normal life in 1976. Niki Lauda lost control of his Ferrari, collided with the metal barriers. With crashing by another car, Lauda got the fire trap. He received multiple burns. His lungs were literally melting. He lost the hair and the skin, but miraculously survived.
His return was the toughest. There are not enough words for how strong Niki Lauda was. He had been getting the terrible procedures every day, but he never stopped. Lauda returned to racing just after 40 days.
Don’t talk too much, be focused on the goal and achieve it.
The less you talk, the more time you have for the essential things.
#2: Keep discipline and it will temper you.
Niki Lauda Quotes on James Hunt
Many achievements are based on discipline. That is a stumbling block. To be disciplined is easier said than done.
Ask any current Formula 1 driver, as they know the sense of routine for the day. Racing as a sport teaches discipline. Having missed at least one workout, you can already feel that you are one step behind. Racing was everything to Niki Lauda, and he had to be in control of himself to get to the top.
To create your own schedule that allows you to find time and energy to achieving your goals – that’s the key.
It does not mean there is no other way than to follow the plan. There should be a place for fun. But for Niki Lauda, that was James Hunt. reminded him of it, who lived each day like their last.
He is the only man whose life I really envied. Even towards the end when I saw him in scruffy trainers you knew there was a man who lived life to the full.
Niki Lauda on James Hunt
Another sense is the ability to invest in yourself. Lauda’s father was a rich man. But in those days, racing was something that business people should watch, rather than to do. Without family support, Niki Lauda knew he need money. Austrian got a bank loan. It was the first step to his first Formula 1 race.
#3: Appreciate your rivals; they make you better.
To have an enemy, or someone to hate, makes you want to spare. Niki Lauda thought about it in a different, more useful way. He couldn’t stand Hunt’s victories, and these made him want to beat him every time. Niki Lauda had deep respected for Hunt. He always assessed the strengths and weaknesses of James Hunt and the other rivals, as well as his own. Every time he competed in the racing circuit, he learned from his opponents.
A wise man can learn more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
It is your passionate opponent who is your most valuable teacher today, just as every Formula 1 driver keeps that in mind. The truth is, your rivals remind you of your purpose, help you overcome obstacles.
#4: Love your failures.
Niki Lauda Inspirational Quotes
Happiness is an enemy. It weakens you, puts doubt in your mind. Suddenly, you have something to lose.
Happiness can render you weak as it causes you doubt, as it says in one of the famous Niki Lauda quotes. Therefore, the Austrian champion focused on his faults, rather than victories. Applause can make you intoxicated and stop. While failures and mistakes strengthen you and are a better go-getter.
From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.
Really, you should always discuss the defeats because you can learn much more from failure than from success.
So all of our epic fails are our most valuable lessons. Lewis Hamilton, who is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has deep respected for Niki Lauda and always repeats it when they are having a bad day.
Winning is one thing—but out of losing I always learned more. Because you don’t waste time blaming somebody else. Analyze yourself. Change yourself to be successful.
#5: Forget what they say about you and be open to starting something from scratch.
Niki Lauda Famous Quotes
Niki Lauda faced a lot of criticism after the crash in 1976. People had been discussing his face after the accident, but not his results. But the Austrian handled it, silencing journalists. After winning a few Grand Prix, he learned to respect himself.
Whenever I see something that challenges me, I take it on.
Thus, people will always discuss anyone, but the proper sense comes from the things that you do.
Niki Lauda is best known and remembered as a racing driver. But not everyone knows he was an astute business person and had his own company, “Lauda Airlines”.
The crucial point is always the own cost structure. Therefore I created a Low Cost alliance with air Berlin
Niki Lauda was always open to starting something from scratch, but racing came first for the Austrian three-time Formula 1 champion.
Giving up is something a Lauda doesn’t do.
#6: Calculate the risk before pushing the limits.
The ability to calculate risks and create an effective strategy was one strength of Niki Lauda in racing circuits. It helped him in races with different weather. When he didn’t pay heed to this percentage approach, he suffered.
I always knew about the risks I was taking. Every year, someone you knew was killed racing. You had to ask yourself, do you enjoy driving these cars so much that you’re prepared to take that risk?
It is critical to know when to draw the line, however tempting.
You have a brake in your brain that stops you doing stupid things. The older you are, the earlier that brake comes on. When you’re 20 you stop at nothing; when you’re older you’re cleverer than when you’re 20, so your brain brake operates more often!
#7: Relax.
That is that. No matter how important discipline and order are, it is impossible to control everything. So, when you decide and calculate all the risks, there is nothing you can do, other than just relax. You made your utmost effort.
I’ve been through a lot and I realise the future can’t be controlled. I’m not worried. You can always learn to overcome difficulties.
That was difficult for Niki Lauda, as he always thought he could do more. But his unshakable faith in himself and his capabilities allowed him to let go of situations and feel free.
All these features together, including the unstoppable desire to be better, made Niki Lauda one of the most honored persons in Formula 1.
In 2019, Niki Lauda passed away, but his wisdom and his name will live on in Formula 1 forever .
Leave a Comment