Lauda's 1976 German GP helmet to be auctioned

The helmet worn by Niki Lauda during his famous 1976 German Grand Prix accident is to be auctioned off ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

The fire-damaged helmet has been in private hands since the accident at the Nurburgring 48 years ago, but is expected to fetch somewhere between $50,000-$60,000 when Bonhams auction it during the GP weekends.

During the accident at Bergwerk, about half-way around the 14.7 mile lap, the helmet was wrenched from Lauda's head, exposing him to the flames that had erupted from his Ferrari.

Unable to avoid the burning wreck, Brett Lunger's Surtees hit Lauda's car, pushing it down the track before Lunger, Harald Ertl and Guy Edwards all dived into the flames to free the trapped reigning world champion.

Lauda was badly burned, and was twice given the last rites in hospital, before a remarkable recovery that would see him step back into a car at the Italian Grand Prix just six weeks later, his wounds still raw and dressings blood-soaked.

A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Unicef, a charity chosen by the Lauda family.