Niki Lauda’s 1976 Helmet was to be Auctioned in Miami, FL – The late Niki Lauda (1949-2019), an icon of Formula 1 racing and three-time World Drivers’ Champion, remains revered for his remarkable skill and enduring influence on motorsport safety. Lauda’s indomitable spirit is epitomized by his miraculous comeback following a near-fatal fiery crash at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife race circuit in August 1976—a race he had urged his peers to skip, citing unsafe and track conditions due primarily to bad weather and the nature of this circuit. The AGV X-1 Air system helmet he wore during that fateful race is set to be auctioned for the first time by Bonhams Cars at the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2024. Scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, the helmet is expected to fetch between $50,000 and $60,000. In honor of the legendary driver, a part of the proceeds will benefit UNICEF, as chosen by Lauda’s family, aiding the organization’s mission to provide humanitarian relief to children globally. The helmet was scheduled to be showcased at the Bonhams Cars preview area in the Miami International Autodrome from May 3-5.
Speaking on behalf of the Lauda family, Niki’s son, Lukas Lauda, expressed pride in his father’s lasting impact: “We are proud that our father’s legacy continues to support those in dire need. The challenges UNICEF faces in delivering aid to children worldwide are vast, and any contribution we make to enhance these efforts fills us with immense satisfaction.”
Concerning the incident where Lauda’s helmet came off during his 1976 crash, it was reported that the AGV X1 helmet, which came in only one shell size, relied on varying padding levels to fit different head sizes. Lauda, having a smaller head, required substantial padding. Moreover, the placement of the chinstrap towards the front meant that upon impact with the headrest, the padding compressed enough to allow the chinstrap to slip off, although it did not break.
AGV: Pioneers in Helmets for Champions on Both Two and Four Wheels
With a storied history spanning nearly 80 years, AGV has made significant contributions not only to motorcycle racing but also to the pinnacle of auto racing, Formula 1. Originally bolstered by its association with motorcycle legend Giacomo Agostini, AGV expanded into the world of Formula 1 in the early 1970s. AGV helmets quickly became a familiar sight at the front of the pack of F1 Grand Prix Races, a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence, regardless of the number of wheels.
A partial list of F1 Drivers wearing AGV X-1 and X-80 Car racing Helmets
| Alan Jones | 75 -76 | X 80 | Williams |
| Alex Caffi | 87 | X 999 F1 | Osella F 1 Alfa Romeo |
| Alex Caffi | 88 | X 999 F1 | Benetton B 187 Ford (tester) |
| Alex Caffi | 89 | X 999 F1 | Dallara 3087 – F 188 Ford |
| Alex Caffi | 90 | X 999 F1 | BMS Dallara F 189 Ford |
| Alex Ribeiro | 77 | X1 | March 761 B Ford |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 1980 | X 80 | Alfa Romeo 179 |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 1981 | X 80 | Mc laren M 29 F , MP4/1 |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 1982 | X 80 | Alfa Romeo 182 |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 1983 | X 80 | Alfa Romeo183T |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 84 | X 80 | |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 88 | X 999 F1 | |
| Andrea de Cesaris | 89 | X 999 F1 | |
| Brian Henton | 1975 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 77 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 78 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 79 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 80 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 81 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 82 | X 80 | |
| Bruno Giacomelli | 83 | X 80 | |
| Capelli | 88 | X 999 F 1 | |
| Capelli | 89 | X 999 F 1 | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 73 | X 80 | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 74 | X 1 | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 75 | X 1 | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 76 | X 1 | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 77 | X 1 | |
| Emilio De Villota | 76 | X 1 | |
| Enrico Bertaggia | 89 | X 999 F1 | |
| Enrico Bertaggia | 92 | X 999 F1 | |
| Ian Ashley | 1977 | X 1 | |
| Ingo Hoffman | 1976 | X 1 | |
| Ingo Hoffman | 1977 | X 1 | |
| Larini | 1987 | X 999 F1 | |
| Larini | 1988 | X 999 F1 | |
| Larini | 1989 | X 999 F1 | |
| Lella Lombardi | 74 | X 80 | |
| Lella Lombardi | 75 | X1 | |
| Lella Lombardi | 76 | X1 | |
| Nelson Piquet | 87 | X 999 F1 | |
| Nelson Piquet | 88 | X 999 F1 | |
| Niki Lauda | 76 | X 1 | |
| Niki Lauda | 75 | X 80 | |
| Oscar Larrauri | 1988 | X 999 F1 | |
| Oscar Larrauri | 1989 | X 999 F1 | |
| P. Carlo Ghinzani | 84 | X 80 | |
| P. Carlo Ghinzani | 85 | X 80 | |
| P. Carlo Ghinzani | 86 | X 80 | |
| Riccardo Patrese | 76 | X 80 | |
| Ronnie Peterson | 75 – 78 | X 80 | |
| Vittorio Brambilla | 75 | X 80 | |
| Vittorio Brambilla | 76 | X 1 |
The iconic Italian-flag badge on AGV helmets is rumored to represent Agostini’s helmet, a view his competitors often had from behind. Gino Amisano, the founder of AGV, ensured the brand’s prominence by partnering with top the drivers in Formula One. Produced in Valenza Italy,, these helmets were not long in marking their territory on the Formula 1 circuit with notable victories.
Emerson Fittipaldi, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and of Basilicata descent, was the first to carry AGV to a Formula 1 championship wearing an AGV X1 Air System Helmet. Switching from Lotus to McLaren in 1974, he clinched his second world championship, adding to his 1972 title.
1974 also marked the debut of one of the most iconic helmets in Formula 1, the AGV X1. Known for its modern design and distinctive top air vent, the X1 became instantly recognizable. Lella Lombardi, also from the AGV local region, wore the X1 in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. She became the only woman in history to score points in F1 when the race was halted prematurely due to an accident, earning her half a point as she was in sixth place at the time.
The following year, AGV’s success reached new heights with a Ferrari, piloted by the legendary Niki Lauda from Austria. Not yet thirty years old, Lauda was quickly ascending to iconic status. His 1975 season with Ferrari was stellar, securing five victories and a significant lead over his closest competitors, including Fittipaldi.
AGV’s legacy in Formula 1 continued to grow with Australian Alan Jones in 1980, driving a Williams FW07, and Keke Rosberg in 1982, culminating in Brazilian Nelson Piquet’s championship in 1987.
The brand’s impact in Formula 1 over less than two decades included five world championships, and numerous victories and podium finishes, underscoring AGV’s F1 racing winning philosophy.
Rare AGV X1 Helmet Worn By Niki Lauda In Infamous 1976 Crash Hits Auction Block, Expected To Fetch Up To $60,000 https://agvsport.com/blog/helmets/agv-x1-helmet-worn-by-niki-lauda-in-infamous-1976-crash-hits-auction.html
Read more about Niki Lauda’s flight crash here: https://agvsport.com/blog/travel/long-ride-horror-of-lauda-air-plane-crash-site-in-thailand.html
The Amazing History Of AGV Helmets And Gino Amisano: https://agvsport.com/blog/history-of-agv-helmets.html
About the Author:
Michael Parrotte started his career in the motorcycle industry by importing AGV Helmets into the North American market. He was then appointed the Vice President of AGV Helmets America. In total, he worked with AGV Helmets for 25 years. He has also served as a consultant for KBC Helmets, Vemar Helmets, Suomy Helmets, Marushin Helmets, KYT Helmets, and Sparx Helmets.
In 1985, he founded AGV Sports Group, Inc. with AGV Helmets in Valenza, Italy. For over 38 years now, the company has quietly delivered some of the best protective gear for motorcyclists in the world.
Click Here for Michael’s LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/parrotte/
