Lauda: The Untold Story

Lauda: The Untold Story is an interesting if occasionally obtuse documentary looking at the circumstances surrounding Formula One champion Niki Lauda’s infamous crash at Nurburgring in 1976. The documentary makers use the crash to shine a light on the issue of safety in Formula One, allowing the audience to see just how much things have changed in the sport over the years.

Austrian Formula One Champion Niki Lauda is something of an enigma, and the documentary ably explores both Lauda the driver and Lauda the man. Lauda: The Untold Story includes excerpts of interviews with Lauda from across his career, particularly following the crash. There are also interviews with some of those close to Lauda, including his wife, who talks about how the crash changed him. The documentary also shows us Lauda as he is today, reflecting on his Formula One and post-racing career.

The strength of the documentary lies in the sheer number of Formula One legends that are interviewed, from Nikki Lauda himself – past and present – to contemporaries like Jochen Mass, Hans Joachin Stuck and Sir Jackie Stewart, and contemporary drivers David Coulthard, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. The drivers talk about the fight to make the sport safer, a fight that was initially led by Sir Jackie Stewart who talks about his own role in the battle and the sea change in the sport across its various eras.

The documentary is the product of an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign. Although the music and voiceover are at times a little bit over the top, it is astonishing that the filmmakers managed to produce a documentary of such quality on a shoestring budget. Lauda: The Untold Story is a must-see not just for those interested in knowing more about Niki Lauda, but for Formula One aficionados who want to get involved in the fight for a safer sport.

Mahmud El Shafey

Lauda: The Untold Story is released nationwide on 2^nd July 2015.

Watch the trailer for Lauda: The Untold Story here: