Niki Lauda will not return in 2018

Formula One legend Niki Lauda, who is currently recovering from lung replacement surgery, will not make a comeback in his advisory role with Mercedes within the 2018 campaign, according to German newspaper, Bild, who report that the Austrian is still in intensive care.

Lauda has suffered from similar health issues in the past and has received previous lung transplants, with the latest taking place over the summer after he became ill while on holiday.

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko, who is a friend of Lauda, revealed that he has not seen the former world champion yet as visiting has been restricted to just family.

"Only his family, so his wife and his children, can visit him," Marko said

"The doctors say the danger is that he will become infected with a virus or other people's bacteria. We all miss him. Mercedes misses him, Formula 1 misses him. Everyone misses him - his charisma, his straight words."

Bild has stated that, due to the severity of the health issues, Lauda will not return to F1 duties or even as a spectator until at least the start of the 2019 campaign, meaning that Mercedes will be without his services for the last seven races as they attempt to beat Ferrari to the constructor's title.

Marko is confident the sport can welcome Lauda back soon, however.

"Niki will fight through this and be with us again. We need him."