Lauda chat made me determined to recover from injury - Monger

Billy Monger has revealed that Niki Lauda attempted to console him not long after his career-threatening crash at Donington in 2017, as he pays tribute to the three-time world champion who sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday.

Lauda, a victim of another crash in 1976, this time life-threatening, successfully managed to return to F1 just six weeks later despite suffering considerable burns to the face as well as the inhalation of toxic fumes.

Monger has made a similar remarkable return to competition, even though the crash he was involved in two years ago resulted in the lower part of both his legs being amputated.

The 21-year-old Brit says Lauda took him aside for a conversation to talk about the similarities of their situations, and thinks it made him determined to make a return.

"I’m so sad to hear about his passing and my condolences go out to his family," Monger told BBC Breakfast.

"Luckily I had the opportunity to meet Niki at the British Grand Prix back in 2017, so only a few months after I had my crash.

"And I chatted to him in the Mercedes garage and he had so many kind things to say about me and he really could relate to my situation and the determination to get back to motorsport after having a serious accident.

"It’s super sad and motorsport has lost one of the true legends of the sport."

Lauda received a lung transplant last August, and it was during an attempted recovery from kidney problems that he died.

Following the announcement of his passing, tributes have flooded in for the beloved former champion.

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