Niki Lauda’s widow sues the F1 legend’s foundation over inheritance

Birgit Wetzinger has demanded a whopping €30 Million from Niki Lauda's foundation

Niki Lauda’s widow sues the F1 legend’s foundation over inheritance

Birgit Wetzinger, Niki Lauda

Niki Lauda was a Formula 1 icon. The Austrian driver won three world championships and even survived a horrendous crash that left burns on his body. Lauda was a prominent figure on the Mercedes F1 team and was also the man who convinced Lewis Hamilton to join the Silver Arrows. However, it seems that four years after his death, the Lauda family is in the midst of a legal battle with Niki’s widow Birgit Wetzinger.

As per reports, Birgit has sued the foundation founded by the late F1 champion. Niki Lauda established this foundation in 1997 as a means to secure the financial security of his family. This oversees Birgit and her twins, Max and Mia. While also including the children from Lauda’s previous wife, Lukas, and Mathias. However, it seems that Wetzinger is keen to make some change

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The 44-year-old is unhappy with the current arrangement and has demanded a staggering €30 Million from the foundation. Presently, Birgit receives €20,000 every month. This sum covers all the expenses for Niki Lauda’s wife, including maintenance of the two villas in Vienna and Ibiza, vacations, educational fees for the twins as well the salaries of the domestic workers.

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“Niki would turn in his grave!” Lauda’s family unhappy with Birgit’s endeavors

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Wetzinger’s lawsuit has not been met well by Niki Lauda’s family. The family was satisfied with the arrangement put in place by the former F1 champion. So much so that a close friend suggested this would infuriate the Austrian driver. They said, “Niki would turn in his grave!” 

Moreover, the friend further explained how the family believes the set-up to be what Niki Lauda had wanted himself.  They stated, “Birgit initiated these proceedings. The rest of the family totally agreed with Niki’s arrangement, they respect what he wanted and want to defend his legacy to the last.”

Niki Lauda was a widely successful F1 driver who cared about his family as well as his rivals. Lauda was famous in the F1 paddock, as many regarded him as an inspiration. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff still cherishes the time he got to spend with the three-time world champion. Thus, this situation comes as a surprise to many fans.

It appears that Birgit Wetzinger is not pleased with Niki Lauda’s foundation. The 44-year-old wants to receive a rather large sum through this lawsuit, which the Lauda family does not accept. It remains to be seen how this lawsuit shapes up in the next couple of weeks and whether Birgit gets what she believes is the fair amount.

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