Niki Lauda to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Lauda fans. Speculation had been rife that three-time Formula One world champion is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 77, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a racing driver isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a racing driver just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouNiki

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouNiki was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Niki Lauda was unlike any other racing driver we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouNiki”
— @universalObserver, 21 Mar 2026

“Lauda wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 21 Mar 2026

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