Irish motorsport legend Eddie Jordan has paid an emotional tribute to "warrior" Formula One icon Niki Lauda.
Niki passed away on Monday at the age of 70, his family confirmed last night.
The three-time world champion took the title for Ferrari in 1975 and 1977, and for McLaren in 1984.
He was perhaps best-known for his legendary recovery after suffering horrific burns in a crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix.
Jenson Button leads Niki Lauda tributes after F1 legend dies aged 70
Niki was pulled from the wreckage of his Ferrari by Arturo Merzario and Guy Edwards 32 years ago, but returned to race in Italy just a month later.
And Eddie Jordan has now joined the tributes which are pouring in for the "warrior" motorsport star.
He told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One: "Very sad news about Niki. He was a total warrior but first of all he was a prankster.
"In every aspect of his life he was just such a happy person. He's often remembered for the duel between himself and James Hunt, people thought they were enemies but they were actually great friends."
Eddie said he was left dumbfounded by Niki's return from horrific injuries after his famous crash.
The Dubliner added: "He will be remembered for being a warrior. A warrior for coming back from that crash, I don't know how he did that.
Niki Lauda's great rivalry with James Hunt - and the crash which nearly killed him
"In his autobiography he says he was driven by fear but he never wanted anyone to know that.
"That was his motivation, the fear that the would never be able to drive again he also feared the fact James Hunt was gathering up wind while he was lying in bed all bandaged up, as we know the injuries were massive.
"To be fair to him, living to 70, bearing in mind the kidney transplants and lung transplants, he's a total warrior, there's absolutely no doubt.
"That was indicative of the way he came back from that crash 40 days later to go to Monza in that Ferrari."
