F1: Top 5 crashes at the German Grand Prix.

#2 Nikki Lauda, 1976 (Nurbugring)

Nikki Lauda in his younger days

If you're into racing and movies, chances are you've come across the movie 'Rush'. The sensational rivalry between the astute Niki Lauda and the flamboyant James Hunt is well documented in the movie and gives the closest account of what went down between the pair in the 1970s.

An incident is shown in the film which mirrors that in real life, but the extent of which can only be explained by those who were there themselves. At the dangerous Nurbugring in 1976, Lauda lost control of his car and went straight into the barricade at close quarters. Shockingly, his car caught fire and Lauda himself was engulfed in flames. The horrific accident was viewed by those in attendance, only to see fellow drivers come to the aid of the ailing Lauda. After suffering burns to his face and lungs, the tenacious Austrian made his way back to racing just six weeks after the life-threatening incident.