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Severe 'summer flu' lands Lauda in intensive care

Niki Lauda is recovering in a hospital in Vienna after contracting a severe case of "summer flu", the illness justifying the Mercedes non-executive chairman's absence from the paddock recently.

The F1 legend was conspicuously missing from the Mercedes garage in Germany and Hungary, and now we know why.

Lauda supposedly picked up the bug while on holiday in Ibiza. But a bout of fever and chronic coughing compelled the 69-year-old to fly to Vienna to seek treatment.

Lauda reveals how his wife saved his life

The recipient of a kidney transplant in 2005 - from his wife Birgit - Lauda was seen as a "high risk" patient because of potential immune system complications the summer flu could have induced.

Twelve days on, the three time world champion has emerged from the IC unit, "is being well looked after", according to reports, and is "almost back to full health, thankfully there were no complications with kidneys and heart .

Lauda could be discharged this week and should be back on deck in the Mercedes garage at Spa at the end of the month.

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

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.