Tributes have been pouring in for Niki Lauda, the battle-scarred three times Formula One champion whose comeback from a near fatal fiery crash made him an enduring sporting legend.
The Austrian died yesterday aged 70 after battling ill health. Lauda was the reigning world champion when he crashed in the 1976 German Grand Prix, suffering serious burns, and was given the last rites.
Six weeks later, bandaged, bloody and in pain, he was back racing. He quit in 1979 but was lured out of retirement in 1982 by McLaren, going on to win a third world title in 1984.
Motorsport analyst Bob McMurray was working for McLaren when Lauda joined the team.
