Pace of recovery nicely improving for Lauda, says brother

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Niki Lauda is slowly but surely recovering following the lung transplant he underwent earlier thus summer, the F1 legend now doing "a lot better" according to his brother.

It was feared Lauda's recovery process had hit complications following news the 69-year-old remained in intensive care in Vienna and would not be returning to the F1 paddock this year.

However, Florian Lauda, the Mercedes non-executive chairman's younger brother, insists his sibling is doing well.

"Thank God, he's a lot better now," Florian told Austria's ORF broadcaster.

"He's on the phone, he's watching the races on television," he revealed.

On-the-mend Lauda sorely missed at Mercedes - Wolff

"Of course he will need to do rehabilitation, as he will not get back to how he was too quickly," Florian Lauda added.

"But he is a tough man, which is what made him famous," he said. "He is very focused in difficult situations."

Motor Sport Magazine Grand Prix editor Mark Hughes also relayed on twitter yesterday some positive news out of Austria

"Have heard from someone who visited him that Niki Lauda is on the mend, swearing at people and being a general pain in the butt to his nurses! Great stuff. See you soon Niki," Hughes wrote.

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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.