Lauda recovering from lung transplant

Niki Lauda underwent a "successful" lung transplant yesterday in Austria.

Yesterday we brought the news to you that former F1 driver Niki Lauda was in intensive care following flu that was more serious than first thought.

Lauda was said to have gone into Vienna General Hospital with a bad cough and then it switched up to severe flu and now it's been confirmed that the Austrian has had a lung transplant.

Vienna General Hospital released a statement with confirmation about Lauda's condition and surgery:

"Due to a severe affection of the lungs, Niki Lauda had to undergo a lung transplantation at the AKH Vienna today.

"The transplantation was done successfully by Walter Klepetko, head of thoracic surgery, and Konrad Hotzenecker.

"We kindly ask for your understanding that the family won't give any official statements and we ask to protect the privacy ofthe Lauda family."

In 1976, Lauda was severely burned in a near-death experience in Formula One and the Austrian suffered lung injuries.

Lauda returned to his car three races later, adding the 1977 and 1984 world titles to his already 1975 victory.