Three-times Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda has left hospital following his lung transplant two months ago.
Lauda has left the Vienna General Hospital where the transplant was performed on August 2nd. His conditions at the time of admittance was described as “extremely critical”.In a statement released on Wednesday the hospital advised the 69-year-old is in a generally good condition but has many weeks of intensive rehabilitation ahead.
Lewis Hamilton said last weekend he had been surprised to receive a phone call from Lauda.
“I was shocked to hear from him,” said Hamilton. “I told him ‘you sound younger than ever’. He is determined to come back and he is grateful to the doctors for all their good work and to his wife.”
“For sure, I’ll be in Vienna to visit him before the end of the season,” Hamilton added. “We miss him here in the team, but we have his spirit with us at the races.”
Lauda’s lungs were damaged in his 1976 crash at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. He was trapped in his Ferrari after it caught fire and suffered serious burns as well as the effects of smoke inhalation. He later returned to racing and is now a non-executive chairman of Mercedes’ F1 team.
Don't miss anything new from RaceFans
Follow RaceFans on social media:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2018 F1 season
- McLaren staff told us we were “totally crazy” to take Honda engines in 2018 – Tost
- ‘It doesn’t matter if we start last’: How Red Bull’s junior team aided Honda’s leap forward
- Honda’s jet division helped F1 engineers solve power unit problem
- McLaren Racing losses rise after Honda split
- Ricciardo: Baku “s***show” was Red Bull’s fault
tonyyeb (@tonyyeb)
24th October 2018, 15:28
Terrific news! Fingers crossed for his continued rehabilitation.
Mark Thomson (@melthom)
24th October 2018, 20:48
+1
Joao (@johnmilk)
24th October 2018, 15:30
Great news, he keeps overcoming the huge challenges like no one else
I wonder what his age real is, he should be 69, but with the amount of new parts surely we can knock a few years off right?
Jere (@jerejj)
24th October 2018, 15:42
@johnmilk Yes, he’s 69 (70 next February).
GeeMac (@geemac)
24th October 2018, 15:57
Really good news.
HJ
24th October 2018, 16:12
Stay strong, Niki!
I hope to see him back in the paddock soon. I like his style when he is interviewed.
David BR (@david-br)
24th October 2018, 22:36
+1
Robbie (@robbie)
24th October 2018, 16:40
Indeed, great news!
Fudge Kobayashi (@)
24th October 2018, 16:42
Excellent news. Just in time for the coronation!
BOSS
24th October 2018, 17:53
Agreed
krxx
24th October 2018, 16:43
So Niki the Rat is now to embark on his how manyth life? 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th? Legendary, hahahahah.
Green Flag (@greenflag)
24th October 2018, 18:57
You need a brain transplant.
Stubborn Swiss (@stubbornswiss)
24th October 2018, 16:52
Excellent news!
Niki Lauda – true racing legend.
#Blessings
#Prayers
Chaitanya
24th October 2018, 17:43
Wish him a speedy recovery.
Dave
24th October 2018, 18:06
Terrific news! He’s a tough old bird.
StephenH
24th October 2018, 18:34
Get well soon Niki !!!
Alastair MacDiarmid (@almacd64)
24th October 2018, 18:49
Terrific news, absolute legend, there are few who can beat him for smarts and tough. Hope we can have his acerbic comments to the media again really soon.
Sham (@sham)
24th October 2018, 19:30
Terrific news. Tough man, Chuck Norris is shaking in his boots.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
24th October 2018, 20:44
Get in there, Niki!
anon-e moss
24th October 2018, 20:58
Great news. Thanks for keeping your fans up to date with your progress.
AndrewW
24th October 2018, 22:53
Glad to hear the King Rat is doing better. Godspeed!