Recovering Lauda hopes to be back working with Mercedes soon

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Niki Lauda hopes to be back working with Mercedes soon as he continues his recovery from a lung transplant.

The three-time Formula One champion appeared cheerful as he posted a message on the Mercedes team's Twitter account on Saturday.

Speaking softly but clearly, Lauda says "the important message is I will be there soon" before thanking all his fans for the "unbelievable" support he has received.

The 69-year-old Lauda, who received a new lung on Aug. 2, is non-executive chairman of Mercedes. He has had a close working relationship with five-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and was involved in helping to sign the British driver from McLaren for the 2013 season.

Hamilton has won four of his titles with Mercedes, including the past two and in 2014 and '15.

Lauda won the F1 drivers' championship in 1975 and 1977 with Ferrari and again in 1984 with McLaren.

In 1976, he was badly burned when he crashed during the German Grand Prix, but made an astonishingly fast return to racing just six weeks later.