Lauda

[Dare]

interesting read

http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/221/



76 Nurburgring crash,not for the easily disturbed.4 f1 drivers
literally pulled Lauda from a burning car

[Steven Roy]

I love the way Lauda negotiated his fee for 1982.  Ron asked him how he could justify being paid more than anyone else when he had missed two complete seasons so Niki told him my name and personality will be worth £5million so pay me a dollar to drive and the rest for my personality. 

What the story doesn't say is that in 1983 he negotiated a substantial increase in his fee.  When he asked for more money Ron told him that he wasn't a better driver than he had been a year ago.  So Niki told him that he had only been worth a dollar a year ago and he had demonstrated that he was worth more than that as a driver.  And his results on his return had added to his personal legend so his personality was worth more too.

I wouldn't like to play poker with Niki Lauda.