Kacper Sztuka: My Sporting Hero

Kacper Sztuka is coming to the end of his rookie Formula 3 campaign with MP Motorsport. It’s been a year of learning for the Polish driver, but he has drawn inspiration from a legend of motorsport.
In a new series with the drivers, we are asking them to talk about their sporting heroes and Sztuka chose to speak in depth about three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda.
Read below to hear all about his sporting idol…
Noel León: My Greatest Influences

“My sporting hero is Niki Lauda. I’m actually in Austria right now so that is a happy coincidence, but yes, he is my hero.
“The movie based on his life was phenomenal in my opinion and after I watched it, I went to learn more about Niki. I learned about how he was as a person and driver and of course the comeback he made after the accident in 1976, which was incredible.
“I think also on the circuit he was really calm, calculated and of course really fast and I think I would like to be just like him in that sense.
“The most amazing part of his story was when he got burned in his car, a few weeks later he was back in the car even though he had a lot of problems.
“So, even though he drove in a lot of pain, he tried his best and of course he did not win the title that year, but he gave everything to make it happen. So, the comeback he made was great and it definitely inspires me.
Gabriele Minì: My Ultimate Driver

“I think he was a calculating and intelligent driver, and because he was an intelligent person, putting it all together that made him a great driver. Back in the day, I don’t think every driver was into all the details, but he paid attention to everything.
“I was not there but from the stories I saw and I heard, he was so intelligent and was able to work with the team, so he could make the car go quicker and also could get the best out of himself.
“Being a three-time world champion is a dream. I’m here in F3 and I am chasing the dream to become an F1 driver and then a champion eventually. So, to be like Niki, who scored multiple world champions would be amazing, it would be the dream.
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“If I could introduce people to Niki, I think I would tell them about the time he decided against racing because it was too unsafe.
“Of course, on the one hand, he lost a race he could have won but, in the end, he chose safety rather instead of risking a big crash which happened a lot back then. It was something not many people would do, so it was extraordinary what he did then.”