Formula One news

Lauda to take astronaut training

Triple Formula One Champion Niki Lauda is to undergo a training programme in order to fly passengers into space with Virgin Galactic, according to Richard Branson. The entrepreneur, running the first ever spaceline, has also revealed that Brawn driver Rubens Barrichello has purchased tickets to ride in the shuttle.

"Rubens has bought a ticket for space, and Niki is going to train to become an astronaut to hopefully fly other people into space one day," Branson said in Bahrain. Lauda left F1, having claimed two titles in the 1970's, to set up his own airline - Lauda Air - before returning and claiming one more title in 1984. "I have been a professional pilot for many years," he said. "I fly Boeing and Airbuses and my only dream was to fly the Space Shuttle; I was always looking at that, but that was impossible because basically only Americans do that. When I saw this project, I was the first knocking on the door."

The Brawn cars carry Virgin Galactic logos for the first time at the Bahrain Grand Prix

"For me it is such a pleasure to be here and involved in Virgin Galactic because, since I was a kid, it's been a very, very clear feeling that I have always wanted to go to space," said Barrichello. "I became a racing driver, which involves getting a fast car, but I want to see how fast it goes up there." The Brawn GP car is sporting the Virgin Galactic logos for the first time this weekend, having had standard Virgin branding at the first three races. "When I saw the project coming, I asked if I could be a part of it and Richard has given me access to it as there are a lot of people who wanted to be in there," Barrichello continued. "I am proud to be there; for me, it is going to be such an experience. I am very encouraged and I have no more words - it is really kind to be a part of it."

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