Niki Lauda, Circuit de Catalunya, 2018

Lauda released from hospital after lung transplant

2018 F1 season

Posted on

| Written by

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 go ad-free

2018 F1 season

Browse all 2018 F1 season articles

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

21 comments on “Lauda released from hospital after lung transplant”

  1. Terrific news! Fingers crossed for his continued rehabilitation.

  2. 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?

    1. @johnmilk Yes, he’s 69 (70 next February).

  3. Really good news.

  4. Stay strong, Niki!

    I hope to see him back in the paddock soon. I like his style when he is interviewed.

  5. Indeed, great news!

  6. Fudge Kobayashi (@)
    24th October 2018, 16:42

    Excellent news. Just in time for the coronation!

  7. So Niki the Rat is now to embark on his how manyth life? 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th? Legendary, hahahahah.

    1. You need a brain transplant.

  8. Excellent news!
    Niki Lauda – true racing legend.
    #Blessings
    #Prayers

  9. Wish him a speedy recovery.

  10. Terrific news! He’s a tough old bird.

  11. Get well soon Niki !!!

  12. 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.

  13. Terrific news. Tough man, Chuck Norris is shaking in his boots.

  14. Get in there, Niki!

  15. Great news. Thanks for keeping your fans up to date with your progress.

  16. Glad to hear the King Rat is doing better. Godspeed!

Comments are closed.