Niki LaudaLau·da, Nik·i /ˈlaʊdə, ˈnɪki/ (1949–) an Austrian racing driver who was Formula One world champion in 1975,1977, and 1984. He was badly burned in an accident in 1976 but continued racing for many years. After he retired from racing, he started two airlines: Lauda Air, which was bought by Austrian Arilines in 1999, and Niki which was started in 2003.