The helmet worn by Austrian Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda at the moment of his severe accident in 1976 will be auctioned off. This helmet was worn by Lauda during the German Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany and will be offered at auction by Bonhams ahead of the F1 race in Miami.
The helmet has been in private ownership since the accident on the “Green Hell” 48 years ago, and it is expected that the new owner will bid between $50,000 and $60,000.
The helmet bears significant “scars” caused by fire, the visor is partially melted, and the stickers are destroyed. Its appearance testifies to the horror Lauda experienced when his Ferrari 312T2 collided with the barrier, after which he was hit by Brett Lunger. Then the car of the legendary Austrian caught fire.
Lauda was trapped in the cockpit of the burning car for almost a minute, during which his helmet came off, but he was rescued by Lunger, Harald Ertl, Arturo Merzario, and Guy Edwards, who pulled him out of the wreckage. He was transported to the hospital with severe burns and lung damage, facing death.
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Nevertheless, the incredibly strong and motivated Lauda recovered and became a legend, and 40 days after the accident, still in bandages, he returned to competition and competed in the Italian Grand Prix. He finished fourth and continued his famous title battle with James Hunt.
This helmet is part of a collection of eight helmets that will be sold. The others belong to Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Gilles Villeneuve, Alain Prost, Gerhard Berger, Jean Alesi, and Eddie Irvine.
The auction will be held on May 4, and Lauda’s family has announced that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the helmet will be donated to UNICEF.
Lauda passed away on May 20, 2019, at the age of 71.
