Yesterday we lost one of the true F1 greats.
RIP Nikki Lauda. Fondly remembered here a few years ago by fellow Macan Forum member mistertoad.
Nikki used to drive our Lauda Air ((VW Combi) Crew buses out to and back from the aircraft as if he was trying to catch Hunt the Shunt! Had any of us driven half as fast we would have lost our air side driving clearance instantly. But then we weren't Austrian heroes.
One Saturday in the summer of 1992 Niki and I were rostered to fly a B767 from Vienna to Larnaca and back. Departure was delayed due to heavy air traffic, so we sat on the ramp at Vienna with the passengers on board for about half an hour. Niki was acting as a consultant for Ferrari at the time and he told me he wanted Senna to leave Williams and join Ferrari. He phoned Ayrton from the flight deck while we were waiting for a slot and they talked for about five minutes. After the call he told me Senna would consder a move if Nikki could get Adrian Newey to join Ferrari as well. We were still waiting for a slot when Nikki rang Adrian Newey. Mrs Newey answered and said her husband was out shopping, but she would get Adrian to call Nikki as soon as he got back. Shortly after that we received start clearance . Nikki got one of the stewardesses to sit on a jump seat with his mobile phone and take the call when it came through. As we headed east over Slovakia the mobile phone signal faded and Nikki lost contact. I think contractual reasons eventually stymied the move after that. Had the deal gone through Ayrton Senna might be alive today.
PS When I asked Nikki what he thought of a new German driver called Michael Schumacher he said he was not impressed!
RIP Nikki Lauda
Last edited by Dandock on Tue May 21, 2019 9:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
VG Petrol S http://www.porsche-code.com/PHIVCQU7 And a GT3 RS... by Lego! Not crash-tested!
Just caught up with this - fantastic driver, humble and so determined in the face of any and all adversity.
1st Sapphire SD
2nd Sapphire GTS
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4296
Current 992 S Cab
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=9845&p=196465#p196465
2nd Sapphire GTS
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4296
Current 992 S Cab
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=9845&p=196465#p196465
Sad day.
A true inspiration to all in F1 and indeed many other sports.
RIP Niki and thanks for the memories.
A true inspiration to all in F1 and indeed many other sports.
RIP Niki and thanks for the memories.
Col
Macan Turbo
Air, 20” wheels, ACC, Pano, SurCam, 14w, LEDs, PS+, Int Light Pack, Heated seats and Steering, spare wheel, SC, Privacy glass, PDK gear, SD mirrors, Met Black, rear airbags
Macan Turbo
Air, 20” wheels, ACC, Pano, SurCam, 14w, LEDs, PS+, Int Light Pack, Heated seats and Steering, spare wheel, SC, Privacy glass, PDK gear, SD mirrors, Met Black, rear airbags
+1
Peter
Current: 2020 Carmine Red GTS http://www.porsche-code.com/PMST9ZI9
Gone- 2015 Sapphire Blue Diesel
Gone -2013 Cayenne Diesel
Current: 2020 Carmine Red GTS http://www.porsche-code.com/PMST9ZI9
Gone- 2015 Sapphire Blue Diesel
Gone -2013 Cayenne Diesel
- Wing Commander
- Posts: 19913
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:43 pm
- Location: Wiltshire
Now ‘Nikki’ instead of ‘Nigel’?
Simon
Sold: 2016 Rhodium Silver Macan 2.0
Sold: 2013 Platinum Silver 911 (991.1) C2
Sold: 2017 Carmine Red Panamera 4
Mine: 991.2 Carrera T Racing Yellow 06/04/2018
Sold: 2016 Rhodium Silver Macan 2.0
Sold: 2013 Platinum Silver 911 (991.1) C2
Sold: 2017 Carmine Red Panamera 4
Mine: 991.2 Carrera T Racing Yellow 06/04/2018
Yep. Im afraid so...
My Porsche history
944 (sold)
911 (992.1 - sold)
Macan Turbo (sold)
Panamera turbo S E Hybrid (sold)
Cayenne sport (the bosses)
Taycan Turbo loving it.
944 (sold)
911 (992.1 - sold)
Macan Turbo (sold)
Panamera turbo S E Hybrid (sold)
Cayenne sport (the bosses)
Taycan Turbo loving it.