True or False? Don Alejandro Robaina and Niki Lauda

[El Presidente]

You tell me 

 

The new cigar brand “Vegas Robinas” (vegas means fields in Spanish) was launched in 1997 and it was named after the former owner of the plantation, Alejandro Robaina. It is the first time in history when a Cuban cigar brand has been named after a living person. An interesting fact is that the logo of this cigar brand is designed by famous Austrian formula driving legend, Niki Lauda. Alejandro Robaina and Niki Lauda met when Alejandro Robaina introduced the new brand all over the world, flying in airplanes owned by Niki Lauda.

[raymond5737]

I love these kinds of stories. Tell us more, more, more.

[NSXCIGAR]

Interesting.

While I have found quite a bit of evidence that Don Alejandro and Niki Lauda were close and spent at least some time together (specifically cited in the book Beyond the Limit) the only source I could find supporting the logo design claim is a blogger named Rain Urbsalu, who the verbiage above appears lifted directly from. I can't find any official or independent source confirming this. It's quite an interesting claim and I would assume that, if indeed true, it would be more known.

Does Niki have an email? 

 

[Ken Gargett]

it rings a vague bell but it may just be that i heard the same source. but not really sure why it would be more known. i'm sure they are a great many examples of people connected who we know nothing about. 

anyway, not sure any of this advances things. 

[Warren]

I would have thought that Niki Lauda would have been rather uncomfortable having any kind of flame that close to his face.

[AlohaStyle]

Was about to make a joke about the mile high club until I just googled Niki and realized she, was a he.  

[oliverdst]

I hope it's true. It would be great Lauda having connections with cigars.

At the moment I think it's hard to talk to Lauda (F1 Mercedes "manager"). But Robainas family it's easier.

[NSXCIGAR]

So I stumbled upon this video of a tour of the Robaina farm and the tour guide states that the brand logo was indeed designed by Niki Lauda. No mention of the band design however.

Guide makes the statement at 14:40.

 

[cigaraholic]

Makes sense....Niki’s one of my favorite drivers 

[BrightonCorgi]

  Always wanted the Niki Lauda Alfa Spyder.  The graphics package was awesome looking.

[Nino]

Rings true - I had the chance to "design" his cap on one of his flights with us ...
 

 

[Squarehead]

I loved that video 

[BinBin]

no way! now i want Robanias even more

 

[iannai169]

Excellent video! One of my favorite marcas.

 

[Benzopyrene]

Nice video!