NIKI LAUDA - Iconic Speech

In anticipation of the upcoming 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic speeches from winners in the history of the event.

Triple world champion Niki Lauda was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award at the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2016.


The former Mercedes non-executive chairman was presented with the award by Lewis Hamilton and actor Daniel Bruhl, who played the Austrian in the critically-acclaimed 2013 film Rush about the 1976 Formula One season. It was the year of Lauda's close fight with James Hunt and horrific crash at the German Grand Prix, which left him with severe burns.


Lauda, who won the title in 1975, 1977 and 1984, said his award was a good reminder of the harder days he endured during his career.


Speaking at the ceremony, Lauda said:


"Thank you very much for this award, I know it's very important. But I want to say one thing, I've seen a lot of people here winning and losing. So I'd like to dedicate this award to the losers."


He finished his speech with a call to action:

“One thing is really worrying me – our world today is not really turning in the right direction. Sport I think should be the best ambassador for the future generation to bring us close together again.”


Lauda passed away in 2019, aged 70.

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