Lauda, Berger Pay Homage to Fitness Guru Dungl

Former Formula One drivers Niki Lauda and Gerhard Berger on Friday paid homage to late fitness guru Willi Dungl, who died recently at the age of 64.

Dungl was the man in charge of helping three-time champion Lauda get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car following his terrible accident at the Nurburgring circuit during the 1976 German Grand Prix.

Austrian Lauda, now Jaguar team boss, was given the last rites back then, but thanks to the help from Dungl he was again at the wheel of his Ferrari only 45 days after the heavy accident.

"For me it's very simple," said Lauda today. "He started with me in Formula One. He saved my life a couple of times so really he was with me all through my life basically, since '76, so for me it was a very big loss and the main thing that I have to say about him is that he never did anything for himself, he only did it for other people.

"He didn't care much about himself, he always tried to help us and this was really his great capability and in the end, whatever he told us not to do, we had to do to help us, so this unfortunately was his life. He was an unbelievable man."

Dungl also helped BMW motorsports boss Berger when the former Ferrari driver crashed heavily at the Tamburello corner during the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

"Obviously we've lost a big friend," said Berger. "I think he was the father of success of many Austrian sports people and he helped us if we had mental crisis, if we had accidents and injuries. He brought us back to winning again and he was always there when we needed him. So we really have to say that it's a pity he's not with us any more."