Friday 6th December 2019

BOOK REVIEW  By Peter Baker

Niki Lauda: His competition history

For those of you thinking: ‘Oh no, not another book about Niki Lauda’, stay with me, because this latest title from EVRO Publishing ignores the obvious, and instead concentrates on Niki’s surprisingly varied race career. John Watson MBE provides the foreword, Doug Nye the preface and, in conclusion, long term friend Kurt Bergman adds a fitting afterword. Praise indeed.

There is a quality feel throughout this 376-page book, both in the writing and the colour image quality, which shows a distinct improvement over earlier titles. Chapters, split into years, begin with 1968 and conclude at the end of the 1985 season, when Niki walked away from what would have been a record-breaking USD6 million offer from Bernie Ecclestone to re-join Brabham. The final 30 pages are given over to ‘Later tests & demonstrations’, ‘Life beyond the driving seat’ and race statistics.

During his Grand Prix racing career Niki Lauda drove for March, BRM, Ferrari, Brabham and McLaren and between 1975-1984 achieved three F1 World Championships. He borrowed his way into the sport, paying back loans by driving for Alpina, and later, Ford (Capri RS3100) in the European Touring Car Championships. Obtaining outside sponsorship also became something of a speciality.

His post-race career successes should have been covered in more detail: In the late nineties he played consultant to Ferrari, then in 2001 ran the Jaguar F1 team, before becoming non- executive chairman of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1. In 2012 he helped the Company negotiate the services of one Lewis Hamilton. Maybe author Jon Saltinstall has ideas in hand….

Niki Lauda: His competition history
Written by Jon Saltinstall
ISBN 978-1-910505-46-5
Available through EVRO Publishing
Price £60.00