Lauda given the all clear - leaves hospital

Niki Lauda has left Vienna's AKH hospital where the Mercedes non-executive chairman was admitted before the new year after contracting the flu while on holiday in Ibiza.

When he fell ill, Lauda was still in recovery mode following the lung transplant he underwent last summer.

Lauda touched by hand-written letter from Vettel

Given the weakness of his immune and pulmonary systems, a benign case of the flu was treated with the utmost caution by his doctors who decided to airlift the F1 legend to Austria and keep him in intensive care for the required period.

Professor Walter Klepetko, head of the thoracic department at AKH, has told Austrian news agency APA that Lauda had been released from the hospital.

The surgeon added that Lauda's flu infection did not put the three-time world champion's condition at risk and that artificial respiration had not been necessary.

The Mercedes team was hoping to welcome its chairman back in the paddock for the start of the F1 season in Melbourne, but Lauda will obviously require a green light from the faculty before traveling Down Under.

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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.