Three-time Formula 1 world champion Nik🌞i Lauda has died at the age of 70.

In 💯a statement issued to the Austrian Press Agency on Tuesday morning, it was confirmed by Lauda's family that he had passed away on Monday, nine months after undergoing a lung transplant.

"In deep m🤪ourning, we announce that our beloved Niki has passed away peacefully with his family on Monday," the family statement read.

"His unique achievements as an athle🦄te and entrepreneur are and will remain unforgettable.&n𒀰bsp;His tireless drive, straightforwardness and courage remain an example and a benchmark for all of us."

"He was a loving and caring husband, fa🌸ther, and grandfather away from 💙the public."

Lauda rose to prominence💧 in F1 in the 1970s, winn🌜ing his first world championship with Ferrari in 1975.

The Austrian sustained life-threate𒅌ning burns and injuries in an accident at the German Gran𒉰d Prix in 1976, but remarkably returned to racing just six weeks later, narrowly missing out on the world championship to James Hunt that year. He would go on to clinch a second title in 1977.

Lauda took a three-year break from F1 at the end of 1979 in order to focus on his commercial interests, but returned in 1982 with McLaren, going💎 on to win a third and final world title in 1984.

He remained a regular figure in the paddock for another three decades following his retirement in 1985, most recently enjoying a non-𓆉executive role with Mercedes during its recent dominance of F1.