Toto Wolff sure Lauda will make F1 return

Toto Wolff says he is sure Niki Lauda will eventually return to the Formula 1 paddock.

We reported recently that, as he recovers from a lung transplant in intensive care, the Mercedes team chairman will not attend any of the remaining seven grands prix in 2018.

'Niki will be back'

But Wolff, Lauda's closest colleague, is confident the F1 legend will be back.

READ: Lauda will not return in 2018 - report

"Niki is of course physically weakened, but otherwise there is no difference at all. He has lost nothing of his dry humour.  He has so much power and is such a phenomenal fighter that I'm really convinced Niki will be back in the paddock,"  the Mercedes team boss told Kronen Zeitung newspaper.

For instance, Wolff says the 69-year-old is actively hounding him for information as he sits out the races in his Vienna hospital bed.

"He wants to know everything about the team and the drivers. He asked me to bombard him with emails at the end of each practice and race day," he revealed.

One rumour is that Abu Dhabi in late November, the 2018 season finale, has been pencilled in for Lauda's return to F1.

"The doctors cannot answer this question yet, but Niki is in good hands," said Wolff when asked about the likely recovery timeframe.