Praise a champion racing driver (5)

I believe the answer is:

lauda

'champion racing driver' is the definition.
(F1 driver Niki Lauda)

'praise a' is the wordplay.
'praise' becomes 'laud' (lauding is a kind of praising).
'laud'+'a'='LAUDA'

(Other definitions for lauda that I've seen before include "racing legend" , "Old driver" , "racing driver" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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