The man who came back from the dead! - Lauda

This weekend the Formula One circus moves to the Nürburgring in Germany for the European Grand Prix. There is one driver in F1 history that doesn't has very fond memories of the Nürburgring. 30 years ago, Niki Lauda nearly got killed in a horrible accident.

Niki Lauda, the three-time Formula One World Champion from Austria, dominated the start of the 1976 season but than...disaster struck. On August 1, 1976, in the second lap of the race at Nürburgring, Lauda's Ferrari went off track, hit the wall and rolled back on track. Lauda's car came into the path of Brett Lunger's Ford and bursted into flames.

Niki Lauda was trapped in the wreckage of his Ferrari. Arturo Merzario and Guy Edwards arrived a few moments later, but before they and Lunger were able to pull Lauda from his car, he suffered severe burns to his head and inhaled hot toxic gases that damaged his lungs and blood.

Lauda was conscious and able to stand up immediately after the accident, he lapsed into coma and a priest administered the last rites. But a miracle happened and Lauda not only survived, but returned to the Formula One grid only 6 weeks later at the Italian GP.

Niki Lauda is called 'The Man Who Came Back From The Dead' for good reasons!