Lauda released from hospital

Niki Lauda has left hospital, two and a half months after undergoing a lung transplant, it has been confirmed. The three-time Formula 1 world champion was revealed to have been days from death before doctors at the Vienna General Hospital took action.

Lauda fell ill on holiday and was ultimately hospitalised in Vienna – where he has remained in intensive care for the past two months as doctors try to stave off infection.

The likes of Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton have delivered regularly positive updates on the Austrian's health.

And it was confirmed on Wednesday that Lauda is fit enough to leave hospital, although he will remain under close observation.

A hospital statement read: "About two and a half months after a lung transplant, which Niki Lauda had to undergo in the Vienna General Hospital, the three-time Formula 1 World Champion was able to leave the hospital in good general condition on Wednesday.

"Niki Lauda now has to undergo several weeks of intensive rehabilitation. The attending physicians and the nursing staff wish the 69-year-old a good journey.

"Of course, Niki Lauda, like all other transplant patients, will continue to be cared for by the lung transplantation team of the AKH Vienna or the MedUni Vienna."

Doctors at the hospital will hold a press conference on Thursday to reveal details on Lauda's stay in intensive care.

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