Niki Lauda, the three-time F1 champion who was involved in one of sport's most incredible comebacks, has died at the age of 70.

The former racing driver "passed away peacefully", his family said on Monday in a statement reported by the Austria Press Agency.

Lauda narrowly escaped death in 1976 when his Ferrari crashed at the Nurburgring in Germany and was given his last rites in hospital.

He made a miraculous recovery despite horrific burns, returning to the track six weeks later, finishing second in the championship to James Hunt.

He went onto win a second world title in 1977 and a third in 1984 before retiring.

Tributes poured in for the Austrian, who was called a "legend" by British racing driver Jenson Button.

He tweeted: "A legend has left us. Rest in peace Niki."