Wolff: Nick Lauda's return date is still not known

Formula 1 is preparing to go green for 2019, but racing legend Niki Lauda looks likely to miss out on the start of the season. Toto Wolff says it is still unclear how long it will be until Lauda is back in the paddock.

Lauda has been missing from the paddock since the summer of 2018 when he was forced to undergo a lung transplant. The three-time world champion has been recovering since and is not allowed to travel.

Last season, Lauda targetted a return for Abu Dhabi, but he was unable to attend. Then it was hoped he'd be back for Australia, but that looks unlikely.

Wolff confirms he doesn't know when we'll see Lauda back at a Formula 1 race.

"I don't know his doctors. I hope he will be able to return as soon as possible, but at the same time I don't want to put any pressure on it," Wolff told the APA.

"I hope he will be back to normal as soon as possible. There are always some setbacks, but he is getting better at the moment," he said finally.