Niki Lauda's family offer update on health after lung transplant

Niki Lauda is "a lot better" as he continues to recover from a lung transplant in hospital, the Formula 1 legend's brother has revealed. Although still receiving treatment at Vienna General Hospital, Lauda is keeping an eye on F1 as Mercedes close in on more title glory.

The Silver Arrows' non-executive chairman was hospitalised after falling ill on holiday in Spain. It was later revealed that he had been days from death before doctors opted for surgery to save him.

Lauda has been in hospital since the start of August, and remains on the road to recovery, but his younger brother says the old Miki is slowly returning.

"Thank God, he's a lot better now," Florian Lauda told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"He's on the phone, he's watching the races on television. Of course he will need to do rehabilitation, as he will not get back to how he was too quickly.

"But he is a tough man, which is what made him famous. He is very focused in difficult situations."

A veteran of the paddock, Motorsport Magazine grand prix editor Mark Hughes also raised a smile when offering an update he had heard of the three-time world champion.

Have heard from someone who visited him that Niki Lauda is on the mend, swearing at people and being a general pain in the butt to his nurses! Great stuff. See you soon Niki. — Mark Hughes (@SportmphMark) September 15, 2018