Niki Lauda announces 2019 Grand Prix return

Niki Lauda has allayed fears that he might not return to his post at the Grand Prix with Mercedes. "I did not miss a single Grand Prix, even though I was in the company of so many IV tubes," the great Austrian told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I followed all the races, phoning the box during the weekends -- they always told me what was happening," Lauda said. Lauda said one of the most pleasant things about his recovery was a hand-written letter from Sebastian Vettel. "I did not expect it," said Lauda. "Usually the drivers just drive, but he is a beautiful person. Yes, he had difficult moments, but it would be absurd to question him. He will recover -- a champion never forgets how to drive." However, Lauda said he was most impressed this year by Lewis Hamilton. "He was exceptional," he said. "It was the most difficult world championship for him to win because Ferrari was often better than us. But he did not make a single mistake."

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