Former Formula One driver Guy Edwards, whose career included a heroic role in rescuing fellow driver Niki Lauda from a fiery crash and decades of influence on motorsports sponsorship, has died at the age of 83.
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Edwards' death was announced over the weekend. A cause of death was not immediately released.
The British driver competed in Formula One during the 1970s and also raced in sports cars and endurance events throughout a lengthy motorsports career. While his on-track accomplishments earned respect throughout the racing world, Edwards became best known for his actions following Lauda's near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring in Germany in 1976.
Edwards was among the drivers who stopped and rushed to help pull Lauda from his burning Ferrari after the three-time Formula One champion crashed and became trapped in the wreckage. His bravery during the rescue earned widespread recognition, including the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
Beyond racing, Edwards became one of the most influential commercial figures in motorsports. He helped pioneer sponsorship strategies that transformed the business side of racing and played key roles in securing major partnerships for teams and manufacturers.
Over the years, Edwards was involved in sponsorship programs linked to some of motorsport's most recognizable brands, including Rothmans, Guinness and the Silk Cut Jaguar sports car program that achieved success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Colleagues credited Edwards with helping shape many of the sponsorship models that remain common throughout Formula One, endurance racing and other major motorsports series today.
Edwards also authored a book on sponsorship and marketing in racing and later worked as an adviser across motorsports and other industries.
