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Triple Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda is back in hospital as his recovery from last year’s lung transplant continues to be a tough one.
Earlier this year there was talk that the Mercedes F1 team chairman would be back in the paddock as early as Spain last week, but this proved to be way off the mark as the latest setback to his health will scupper any short-term plans for a return.
OE24 reported that Lauda was transferred to a private clinic where he is receiving dialysis treatment, which had not been available at the Cereneo rehabilitation clinic, near Lucerne, where he was undergoing his recuperation programme.
The F1 legend’s brother Florian Lauda confirmed, “Niki is making progress but he is still in Switzerland.”
Since his lung transplant in August last year, the 70-year-old’s journey to recovery has been slowed by setbacks including a flu infection, while building his muscle mass appears to be taking longer than expected.
Nevertheless, Lauda has reportedly been in close contact with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolf and a few of his close confidants in the Formula 1 paddock.
But word is that for now, once he gets the green light, Lauda wants to return his estate on Ibiza and continue his rehab at home. Thereafter, health and strength permitting, of course, his target will be a return to the F1 paddock where his legendary “no-bullshit” presence is sorely missed.