Ecclestone: Lauda leaves this world with pride

Former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has paid tribute to one of the sport's greats, Niki Lauda, who sadly passed away on Tuesday morning.

Lauda was announced dead following ongoing kidney problems, that finally took its toll. Many from around the F1 paddock have paid tribute to the three-time world champion following his passing, and Ecclestone is the latest to do so.

"Niki always had his own opinion," Ecclestone told Blick. "And that is very rare in Formula 1. I visited him in Switzerland and he was already very weak. I was very worried.

Lauda won three F1 championships in his career - the first coming back in 1975 for Ferrari - with the second coming just two years later for the Italians. His last world championship victory was in 1985 for McLaren.