Hamilton on Lauda: "One of the biggest fighters I know"

Lewis Hamilton has weighed in on the situation around Mercedes advisor Niki Lauda, as the Brit has revealed he prays for the recovery of the Austrian, who is still in a critical condition after collapsing a few weeks ago.

Lauda, who recently underwent a lung transplant, is still recovering at the Vienna General Hospital in his home country of Austria.

From Hamilton's perspective, the missing of Lauda will be massive. The three-time champion was a big reason Hamilton joined Mercedes in the first place back in 2013. Since then, the two have combined for four constructors' championships.

"We are praying for him," Hamilton told The Daily Mail at Spa Francorchamps, where Mercedes will have to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix without Lauda and his red cap.

Although Lauda's situation is stabilizing, he's still not out of the woods. He'll have to spend several more weeks in the hospital, and doctors have said his total recovery will take up to half a year.