Sportsmen and Their Amazing Comebacks

9. Niki Lauda

Country: Austria

Sport: Formula One Racing Driver

Pronounced dead and administered the last rites by a priest at the hospital, Niki Lauda made an incredible and amazing comeback, at the risk of sounding cheesy, we can call him “back from the dead”. In 1976 German Grand Prix, Niki’s Ferrari deviated off the track and burst into flames and he was caught inside the burning metal beast for a few minutes before h was pulled out from the flames. And in the few minutes he suffered first to third degree burns and inhaled toxic gases that damaged his lungs and blood.

When he was pulled out of the car he was conscious but later he slipped into a coma. People were surprised when 6 weeks later Niki Lauda participated in the Italian Grand Prix and finished fourth. As he stepped out of his car his bandages on his head were red with his blood.

His second life is racing has been described as he sheer force of will to survive and fight. It has in fact been termed as the most difficult and courageous come back in the history of any sport and he is considered a living legend.