Lauda in intensive care following flu

Niki Lauda is in intensive care following a case of the "summer flu" has turned out to be a lot worse than what was first feared.

Former Ferrari and McLaren man, Niki Lauda was not present at the last two Grands Prix in Germany and Hungary with the flu.

And Mercedes released a statement with reasoning to why their non-executive chairman was not at the races:

"Niki has had a bout of flu and was advised to take some rest by his doctors during the German and Hungarian weekends. We hope to see him back in Spa!"

However, reports coming out of Austria say that the "summer flu" is a lot more severe than first thought.

Lauda reportedly contracted the bug when he was on holiday in Ibiza, before flying to Vienna to receive intensive care, where he has been since the end of July.

Speedweek say that "summer flu" is dangerous on the immune system of the body and Lauda already suffers from kidney weakness and this makes him more of a high risk patient.

Some reports also state that Lauda is on the mend; saying he's "being well looked after" and "he is almost back to full health, thankfully there were no complications with kidneys and heart" and that he could be discharged as soon as this week.

A friend of Lauda said: "The doctors say after this severe flu Niki must stop playing with his health, urging the Austrian to reduce his commitments."