F1 legend Niki Lauda says he will be fully healed by February, plans paddock comeback

Niki Lauda has allayed fears that he might not return to the track with Mercedes.

In August, the F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman had a life-saving lung transplant and missed the remainder of the season But Lauda, 69, says he actually didn't really miss a race.

"I did not miss a single Grand Prix, even though I was in the company of so many IV tubes," the great Austrian told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I followed all the races, phoning the box during the weekends — they always told me what was happening."

He said he was "never afraid" of dying, and was instead motivated by the urge to "fight," just as he was after his fiery accident at the Nurburgring in 1976.

"I'm still fighting," Lauda said. "I was in hospital until two days ago. Then I was allowed to go home and flew to my house in Ibiza where I will spend Christmas with my great and affectionate family."

He says physical therapists are with him and still working him hard.

"The doctors told me that in a month I will be completely healthy and I will be able to return to my usual life," Lauda said. "As before, I will come to the races."

He said one of the most pleasant things about his recovery was a hand-written letter from Sebastian Vettel.

"I did not expect it," said Lauda. "Usually the drivers just drive, but he is a beautiful person."

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