Lauda's Abu Dhabi absence confirmed

Martin Macdonald Friday 23 November 2018 11:33

Niki Lauda will not be in attendance at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina as he continues his recovery from major surgery at home, according to his friend and colleague Helmut Marko, who confirmed his absence on Friday morning.

The Austrian has had two kidney transplants over the years, with the latest coming during the summer which left him unable to fulfill his duties as special advisor to Mercedes.

Article continues under video

It was reported that Lauda was determined to make one appearance before the end of the season, with Abu Dhabi being the last race, but Marko has revealed that he doesn't quite have the energy yet.

"He's doing much better, but he just does not yet have the strength to be here," Red Bull boss Marko told German broadcaster RTL.

Hats off to you, Niki ???? pic.twitter.com/t5CpbpivVl — Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2018

Lauda spent almost three months in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery which doctors believe saved him from certain death. The three-time world champion fell ill while on holiday in Spain and was later taken to hospital in Vienna, where he underwent the operation.

Doctors later revealed that Lauda would have died within days if he had not undergone the transplant.

Latest News

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today as conditions set to cause havoc

6 minutes ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 chief slams 'TERRIBLE' Las Vegas Grand Prix track

24 minutes ago

Lewis Hamilton

DELAYED Hamilton debut blamed on Ferrari

1 hour ago

Latest F1 News

F1 team principal admits driver ERROR to blame for bizarre DNF

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Verstappen in Las Vegas GP NIGHTMARE as FIA announce major penalty

2 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

Verstappen hit by BIZARRE issue at Las Vegas Grand Prix

3 hours ago

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY