Sporting world mourns death of 'true legend' Niki Lauda

Legendary Formula One driver Niki Lauda has died at the age of 70, his family said on Tuesday, triggering an outpouring of praise for a man whose track victories and comeback from a horrific crash enthralled race fans worldwide.

Lauda died at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland on Monday night surrounded by his closest family members, a spokesperson told AFP.

His death comes eight months after he underwent a lung transplant. An Austrian news report said Lauda -- who also had kidney transplants -- was hospitalised for a dialysis earlier this month in Switzerland.

Walter Klepetko, who performed the lung transplant at Vienna's general hospital last year, said there was no specific cause of death.

"It was a long process, and the patient reached his end. Niki Lauda fought. He was a great man. But it has been clear for some time that we cannot bring him back to the 'race track'," he was quoted by the Austrian news agency APA as saying.

The family said in a statement that Lauda died peacefully, highlighting his "unique achievements as an athlete and entrepreneur... his tireless zest for action, his straightforwardness and his courage.

"A role model and a benchmark for all of us, he was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather away from the public, and he will be missed."
- 'Forever in our hearts' -
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- 'Very, very special man' -
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Former motorcycling world champion Casey Stoner said on Twitter: "RIP Niki Lauda, a true Icon and Motorsport legend."
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, describing Lauda as "courageous, chatty, and extremely funny", added on Twitter: "I am going to miss you being around the @F1 paddock but the legend of Niki Lauda will live on, because you were a very very special man."
- One of Austria's greatest -
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Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said Lauda "will remain in our heart and our memory as a visionary leader, a legend of Formula 1 and an aviation pioneer."