Niki Lauda's helmet from fiery Nürburgring crash goes up for auction

The paintwork is deeply scarred, the visor is partly melted, and the decals are tattered: Niki Lauda’s helmet from the 1976 German Grand Prix bears witness to the violence and intense heat of the crash and fireball that almost claimed his life at the Nürburgring.

Now, for the first time, the helmet is being sold by Bonhams at public auction and is estimated to fetch between $50,000-$60,000 (£40,400-£48,500) when it goes under the hammer in Miami, ahead of next month’s Grand Prix.

Lauda’s red helmet, as well as his red caps, became his trademark, and none are more significant than this, from the crash and subsequent recovery that defined him. It came off in the accident, as Lauda’s Ferrari 312T2 slammed into a barrier, burst into flames and was then struck by Brett Lunger’s Surtees.

Trapped in the cockpit for almost a minute, Lauda was saved by the actions of Lunger, Harald Ertl, Arturo Merzario and Guy Edwards who pulled him from the wreckage. He was rushed to hospital, close to death with severe burns and lung damage, and delivered the last rites.

Lauda’s determined recovery has become legend: 40 days after the crash, still bandaged, he returned to compete at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing fourth to resume his famous duel for the championship with James Hunt.