The F1 driver who played a key role in the dramatic rescue of Niki Lauda during his life-threatening 1976 crash has passed away at the age of 83.

F1 driver who helped save Niki Lauda’s life dies aged 83 as tributes flood in

The motorsport icon has passed away.

Guy Edwards has passed away (Image: Getty)

Guy Edwards, a Formula One icon, has passed away aged 83. Edwards raced in 17 Grand Prix races between 1974 and 1977, with his best result behind the wheel being a seventh-placed finish in Sweden.

But it’s for his actions at the Nurburgring in 1976 that Edwards is best known for, having helped save Niki Lauda’s life following a heavy crash. The Austrian’s car was burning when Edwards, along with Arturo Merzario, Brett Lunger and Harald Ertl, arriving at the scene first.

Edwards was instrumental in dragging Lauda from his car and was even rewarded for his loyalty with a Queen’s Gallantry Medal. Describing the aftermath of the incident, Lauda told the BBC: “My lungs nearly gave up after the accident and the doctors just gave me life because I had a lung collapse… and I just made it, and the burns and the other problems we could fix. But the lungs were my life danger.”

Lauda went on to win the World Championship the following year, and Edwards’ actions have never been forgotten as playing a part in the Vienna-born success. Edwards was considered a shining light during a dark period for the sport, with tributes for the Brit having flooded in.

@Brands_Hatch wrote on X: “We’re sorry to hear that British racer Guy Edwards has died at the age of 83. Guy raced in F1, both internationally and in the British series, and entered F5000, World Sportscars, and the BTCC in a career which spanned the ‘60s to the ‘80s. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

@MikeChannell said: “RIP to Guy Edwards. Not a bloke you’re likely to have heard of, but he’s the bloke who pulled Niki Lauda out of his burning car. He’s also one of two drivers featured in probably my all-time favourite motorsport documentary [24 Hours at Le Mans].”

The wreckage from Nikki Lauda’s Ferrari after the Nurburgring crash (Image: Getty)

After retirement from Formula One, Edwards turned his hand to helping motorsport teams secure sponsorship deals. @DerekDaly500 remarked: “Sad to tell you that Guy Edwards died today. Guy was my manager in F1 & F2. The Guinness and ICI deals were because of Guy. Some of you will know that he suffered a devastating stroke many years ago and has lived in the west of Ireland ever since. His ability to ‘do the deal’ supported so many race teams. He received the Queens Gallantry Medal for pulling Niki Lauda from his burning Ferrari in 1976. Up to the end he loved to chat about the old days. RIP my friend.”

@RaimonDuran said: “Guy Edwards … enthusiastic pilot and, above all, a great sponsorship negotiator. You can’t imagine the number of deals he handled. First for himself, then for other pilots, and finally for all kinds of Top teams in many categories.”

CRE: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2219992/f1-driver-guy-edwards-dies