Great Read: The man who saved Niki Lauda

All-American racer  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBE DATABASE SUBSCRIBE ARCHIVE Great Read: Brett Lunger – The reluctant hero who saved Niki Lauda September 2014 | Andrew Marriott A very happy birthday to Brett Lunger. He pulled Niki Lauda from the wreckage of his blazing Ferrari, fought in Vietnam and piloted humanitarian flights for seriously ill children, but plays down his many achievements in today's Great Read Brett Lunger has always been understated, self-analytical, supremely fit and serious. That was his manner back in the 1970s when I handled his public relations in Europe and now, as we talk 40 years later at the Thermal Executive Airport near Palm Desert, California, little has changed. He has lightened up to a degree, but otherwise the so-called American 'rich kid' remains just as he was. Lunger's Formula 1 career is always linked to the Lauda accident rather than his race performances, so let's get that out of the way. It was Lunger who stood on the cockpit of the burning Ferrari and yanked Lauda out of the wreckage by his shoulder straps, flames licking around his legs. But then his courage should have been a given: after all, he had military medals in his collection – an American Purple Heart, or DFM (he describes it laughingly as the "Dumb F***ers Medal – you receive one if you are injured in combat")... READ MORE PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES AUTHOR Matt Bishop Michael Schumacher's dirtiest tricks: F1 drives that disgraced a champion One of the greatest drivers ever seen on the Formula 1 stage, Michael Schumacher refused to contemplate defeat: an attitude that brought him audacious results, but led him to shameful tactics. Matt Bishop picks the five lowest moments READ MORE The 15 best F1 drivers of all time F1 | Motor Sport With Max Verstappen on the cusp of winning a fourth Formula 1 title, where should he sit in the list of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history? Here's out latest verdict on the top 15 Max Verstappen will arrive in Las Vegas next week on the cusp of a fourth consecutive drivers' world title — unless Lando Norris outscores him by three points or more, he will accomplish a feat just four other drivers in F1's 75 year history have achieved. Doing so could mark a new peak in his superlative form, which, since 2021, has convinced many that Verstappen deserves a place among the greatest F1 drivers of all time. But where does he rank against the likes of Jim Clark, Gilles Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton? We've examined not just their qualifying and race results, but also their raw speed, tactical awareness, ability to adapt, and determination to win... READ MORE Best Selling Explore our top-selling products, specially selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. Racing Green Motor Sport Binder BUY NOW F1 World Champions Cars Poster (1950-2023) BUY NOW Motor Sport Foldable Golf Umbrella + Subscription BUY NOW Wireless Earphones Motor Sport BUY NOW Four-piece Motor Sport Drinks Coaster Set BUY NOW Flask Bottle Motor Sport BUY NOW Connect with us We're also available on Update your preferences Control your Motor Sport experience by selecting the content you wish to receive and stay up to date. UPDATE NOW Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE  Company no. 05471049, Vat no. 871 544 60