Lauda's health improves

Victim of an infection while in Ibiza, the three-time world champion of Formula 1 (1975, 1977, 1984) was rushed to the AKH hospital in Vienna where he was successfully operated on by Professors Walter Klepetko, responsible for thoracic operations, and Konrad Hotzenecker.

The lung transplant having led to neither rejection nor complications, Lauda, ​​who had arrived in Austria "in a critical condition", began a long period of convalescence at the age of 69 to avoid any relapse. The non-executive director of Mercedes will have to avoid a battery of exercises and undergo heavy treatment but will be able to return to an almost normal life, according to Professor Klepetko.

Speaking in the columns of Bild Am Sonntag, the doctor confided that the patient's strength of character was the No. 1 factor in his chances of recovery. Suffice to say that Lauda, ​​who received extreme unction after his terrible accident at the Nürburgring during the German F1 Grand Prix in 1976, is more than equipped to face this new challenge.

Toto wolff, Mercedes team principal, sent a message of encouragement to his colleague and friend last Friday: “ Knowing Niki, I'm sure he'll soon tell the nurses that he's tired of being in the hospital. We wish him a good and speedy recovery, in that order, and send all our positive energy to him and his loved ones ».

Update – On Monday afternoon, Vienna Hospital confirmed the reassuring news about Lauda: “24 hours after the operation, Mr. Lauda was able to be extubated. He regained consciousness and could breathe naturally. His health improved further in the days that followed and all organs were functioning normally. Mr. Lauda will remain in hospital until his full recovery.”