Three-time Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda became the latest customer for the Bombardier Global 7000 when he placed an order for one of the ultra-long-range business jets on Sunday at EBACE. Lauda, a Bombardier Business Aircraft brand ambassador, currently flies a Global 6000 that he took delivery of in March. His new Global 7000 is scheduled to be delivered in late 2018.

“The Global 7000 is an incredible business jet,” Lauda said. “The cabin is large and spacious and the four separate zones provide greater comfort, especially for longer trips. With its impressive range and speed, I can easily fly from Vienna to São Paolo, and almost all other stops along the Formula 1 circuit, quickly and efficiently.” Besides this, he also cited the appeal of having the larger windows that will be on the in-development Global 7000.

Lauda, a rated commercial pilot with more than 18,000 hours, has a long history with Bombardier products. He started with a Learjet 36 around 1979 and, before the Global 6000, owned and operated a Global 5000 and Challenger 300 that he frequently used to travel to Formula 1 races around the world from his home base in Austria.

His Global 6000 won the 2015 International Yacht & Aviation Awards prize last week for best interior in the private jet design category. The interior of Lauda’s business jet combines handcrafted leather and upholstery details with “bold and striking” woodwork.