Former Formula One world champion Niki Lauda has received a factory-new Global 6000 from Bombardier's completion centre in Dorval, Canada.

The manufacturer has also announced that Lauda will be a spokesperson for Bombardier Business Aircraft; the partnership between Bombardier and the racing driver will see him fly his Global 6000 aircraft to Grand Prix races around the world, and make appearances at Bombardier events throughout the 2015 Formula One season.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to tour Bombardier's Global manufacturing plant in Toronto recently, and I am impressed with the expertise, craftsmanship and innovation that go into building every aircraft,” says Lauda. “From a pilot's perspective, the Global 6000 aircraft is fast and fun to fly. It's a performing business jet that delivers impressive range and reliability.”

Adds Bombardier president Eric Martel: “We are privileged to be working in close collaboration with Mr. Lauda. Like our Global aircraft, he set the benchmark for outstanding performance and achievement.”

Three-time Formula One champion Lauda has a long history in aviation. He was the founder of Lauda Air in 1979, and in 2003 he founded NIKI, a low-cost airline based in Vienna. The Global 6000 jet is the latest in a series of Bombardier products that Lauda has owned and piloted during his career as an aviator. Until recently he privately operated a Global 5000 and Challenger 300 jet, which he frequently used to travel to F1 races around the world from his home base in Austria.

As he travels the world he will be supported by Bombardier's services and support teams, which provide on-site assistance worldwide.

The Global 6000 offers substantial cabin volume and floor space, and can link Vienna to Brasilia non-stop with eight passengers and four crew. It can travel 6,000 nm at Mach 0.85 with up to eight guests.

Lauda's previous Global 5000, which was delivered at the beginning of 2012, was the first aircraft to be equipped with Bombardier's Vision Flight Deck. High transatlantic speed has always been one of his primary concerns, and this is a characteristic that he believes the 6000 will deliver.