Andreas Nikolaus Lauda (22 February 1949 – 20 May 2019) was a Formula 1 driver who appeared in Lupin the Third Part II.
Character history[]
Please note that this only refers to his appearance in the episode Wager on the Monaco GP, for more information look at the External Links section regarding his F1 career.
Niki Lauda along with Jacky Stuart, Whitman and Lupin III competed in the Monaco Grand Prix. He was tipped to be the favourite for the race. According to the BBC commentators at the stand, they hoped that Lauda would secure his second consecutive win.
Lauda was at the front of the grid however Lupin overtook him at the start of the race. As Lauda was trying to overtake Lupin, Lupin thought that he was no match for him and changed gears to speed off. For much of the race, Lauda was in second place and Lupin gloated however when Socrates Nexus' henchmen decided to close the borders out of Monaco, he was dropped to a lower position as a yellow car was behind him yet lost control and crashed into the sea. Due to Lupin's pit stop and Koichi Zenigata standing in the way, Lauda caught up and was behind him. Lupin decided since the betting money was inside the tyres after the pit change, he "unfortunately" let Lauda take victory instead as he crashed into a barrier towards the sea.
Lauda won the race with the commentators claimed that he won it "easily", Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly got up from their seats to clap at his victory. He got up from the car and cheered towards the crowds.
Notes[]
- Niki Lauda is one of the few real people who appeared in the Lupin series since most characters are fictional or fictional but based off real people.
- He had won the Monaco GP in 1975 and 1976 however in 1977 when the episode was aired, he was second since Jody Scheckter won the race. He was also second in the 1978 race.
- Both Lauda and Lupin drove a Ferrari 312 F1 car however Lauda drove the 312T model while Lupin drove the previous 312B model in Part 1 Episode 1.