In the history of motorsports, many drivers have risen and returned in the face of great adversity, yet the recovery and comeback of Niki Lauda is etched into sporting legend.

The three-time Formula One World Champion needs no introduction, but to this day, he is immortalized as the embodiment of fortitude, tenacity, and sheer determination.

His passion spurred him on throughout the entirety of his career, yet it was the events of the 1976 German Grand Prix that would change his life forever.

As racing’s most technical challenge, the Nürburgring Nordschleife cuts an imposing 22.8-kilometer route through the Eifel mountains and when Lauda crashed on August 1, 1976, the track became a sight of horror.

“I wasn’t born when Niki had his accident at the Nordschleife,” explains Step One Motorsports ambassador, Romain Grosjean, who describes Lauda as the Formula One driver he admires the most.

“My Dad was passionate about racing, and I remember him competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. He was telling me about how complicated the track was and then we went through the history.

“With the history comes Niki Lauda’s accident. You see the footage, and everyone has seen the movie, Rush, that tells Niki’s story against James Hunt – two absolutely opposite drivers who fought for the World Championship.

“Niki came back to Formula One only two races later at Monza, and he was trying to cover his wounds and put his helmet on to just go racing.

“Seeing him finish fourth on his comeback – still 100% in pain – and on top of that, fight for so long with the lung issues he had from the toxic fumes he inhaled. That was Niki.”

On November 29, 2020, Romain found himself living his own version of the 1976 German Grand Prix when he crashed out of that season’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Upon collecting the barriers and rising from the flames, the now IndyCar ace admits that one of his first thoughts was of Niki Lauda.

“When I had my accident in Bahrain, and I was stuck in the fire, one of my thoughts was of Niki Lauda and just thinking that it was the same,” continues Romain.

“Funny is not the word, but at that time when I tried to stay alive and save my life, Niki Lauda was one of the first thoughts that came to be. I just can’t finish that way.

“There is one thing that I would have loved to do after my own accident, and that was to speak with Niki. We shared similar experiences with fire from both of our cars, but Niki was already gone by the time I had my accident.

“I would have loved to sit down with him and exchange a little bit, so I could inspire myself from his story and life.”

Reflecting upon the relationship he forged with Lauda over the course of his Formula One career, Romain said that the Austrian was encapsulated by one thing – his iconic red hat.

“To me, Niki is always the red hat. He always had a red hat. At breakfast at the hotel, and at the race track in the evening, there was Niki and the red hat.

“He was an extraordinarily strong character. Niki was involved in the success that Mercedes has had in Formula One. He was involved in getting Lewis Hamilton to join from McLaren.

“He worked so hard to go where he wanted to go. He would always say what he thought. He had a clear view and was always making sure that his voice was heard.

“Even after the accident, Niki kept going, forever. He was an absolute legend.”

Episode Two of Phoenix Fridays, an exclusive Step One Motorsports series in partnership with Romain Grosjean, can be watched on YouTube.