General
Lauda's son honours father with 'McLaren' livery during Dakar rally
- Ludo van Denderen
Niki Lauda died almost five years ago, but the three-time Formula 1 world champion is far from forgotten. In the coming days, the memory of the Austrian will be more vivid than ever when his son Lukas takes part in the Dakar rally. To honour his father, Lukas will drive a buggy with the livery of the 1984 McLaren F1. His father, Niki, won his last F1 title in this car.
The helmet with which Lukas competes in the prestigious rally also has the colour scheme with which Niki drove that particular 1984 season. Even the famous Malboro logo is present.
McLaren had a top year in 1984
McLaren's MP4/2 was the RB19 of '84. Niki Lauda and Alain Prost jointly won 12 Grands Prix with this car. They won the constructors' title for the British team. Lauda won five races, which proved enough for the world title, although Prost won seven. At the end of the season, the difference between the two drivers was only half a point in favour of the Austrian. Still the smallest difference ever in Formula 1.
Lukas Lauda starts his first Dakar rally this Friday. For years, he focused on his work as a sports manager, but in 2022, he decided to go racing himself. Not without merit, he succeeded, and so now he is at the start of this long race in the desert.