Niki Lauda has thanked the Formula 1 community for its support and messages as he continues to recover from a lung transplant, and is hopefu🗹l of returning ꦯto the paddock "soon."

Three-time F1 world champion and Mercedes non-executive chairman Lauda was 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:hospitalised back in August to undergo a 🌌lung 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:transplant, and was discharged at the end of October to continue his rehabiliꦆtation.

In his first message sꦬince surgery that was posted to Mercedes' F1 social media accounts on Saturday morning, Lauda paid tribute to the♐ F1 community and to the Mercedes team following its fifth straight championship success this year, led by Lewis Hamilton.

"A message to my team and my friends. As you all know, I had a rough time fro🔯m my health point of view, and the support I got from all you people on my way was unbelievable," Lauda said.

"I was out of bed quicker because I felt to be home in a big strong family and friends. Therefore the achievement of this year, outstanding, five championshipꦗs in a row, Lewis again, [Valtteri] Bottas right there, we could not have done a better job.

Lauda has been an in♈𝕴tegral part of Mercedes' F1 project since September 2012, working with team boss Toto Wolff, and notably played a key role in signing Hamilton from McLaren for the start of the 2013 season.

Mercedes paid a special tribute to Lauda in its title celebrations after the Brazilian Grand Prix as all team members donned the ꦉAustrian's famo♍us red cap.