Growing up, I was never a fan of Lauda's. I liked David Hobbs a lot and seem to recall Hobbs saying that Lauda's nickname was the Rat. Hobbs went on to say that the nickname was well deserved. Obviously, if my memory is correct, these two did not like each other.
But Lauda, and the other drivers of this time, drove when it was expected that at least one driver would lose his life each year and at least one champion was crowned posthumously. Some call this time the Golden Age of F1 racing. I beg to differ.
As I became more educated on F1 racing of this era, I developed a deep respect for all of the drivers of this era. The bravery these men exhibited was immense.
Rest in Peace Niki Lauda. Racing has lost one of its giants.