Niki Lauda turns 70 today, the Formula 1 legend is still on the mend after his lung transplant last August, subsequent recovery complications have kept him away from the paddock and as it stands the family are taking a “wait and see” attitude with regards to his return.
Last year there was speculation that Lauda would make a return to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but his recovery was not complete and that plan was shelved, it appears now that the family are reluctant to put a timeline to his future public appearances and it is highly unlikely that he will attend this season’s opener in Melbourne on 17 March.
Mattias Lauda, son of the three-time F1 World Champion, revealed that his father spends six hours a day at a rehab clinic in Vienna.
“He fights like a lion,” Lauda junior told DPA. “Things are looking up and he is working hard. He wants to return to normal life as soon as possible.”
“It’s important that his body regains its old strength, but we will have to wait and see when he can return to the paddock.”
Meanwhile on behalf of the F1 community a “Happy Birthday to the legend” that is Niki Lauda, and many happy returns to the man who has stared death in the face, and twice defied the Grim Reaper. Forza Niki!