F1 News
Rush actor Bruhl pays tribute to Niki Lauda
- Jake Williams-Smith
Daniel Bruhl, the actor who played Niki Lauda in the move Rush, has paid tribute to the late Austrian F1 champion.
Bruhl posted to social media on Monday after the passing of Lauda who had passed peacefully in his sleep. The Austrian had suffered health setbacks after undergoing a lung transplant late last year.
"The bravest man, I’ve ever met, not only because he was an F1 World Champion in the crazy 70’s and had the most incredible comeback in sport’s history, but also because of how he treated people," Bruhl wrote on his Instagram account.
"Always honest, straight forward, blunt. Niki told you the truth in your face, no matter how uncomfortable.
"He was totally unpretentious and incredibely funny. I learned a lot from him and deeply admired him. I know how much you enjoyed flying.
"Race the sky in peace immortal Champ, we’ll miss you. Mach’s gut Niki."
The 40-year-old portrayed Lauda on the silver screen in the movie based on Lauda's 1976 rivalry with James Hunt (played by Chris Hemsworth) and the pair's fight for the F1 world championship of that season.
As part of the role, the German-Spanish actor spent time with Lauda in order to understand his character and posted a picture of Lauda flying a jet, with a caption acknowledging the late F1 champion's love of aviation.