– "It's just awesome that Kimi has come back", Lauda told Austrian TV channel ORF's Sport am Sonntag program.

– "Kimi's natural speed has always been superb, and even if he has newer spoken a lot in interviews, he is a very talented man. I also believe that Lotus is not so bad car", the triple world champion continued.

Lauda still goes to all the F1 races in his role as a TV commentator.

– "Observing Kimi will be fun. It is however important that he at the front every now and then, because then he interests us even more. If the car doesn't help Kimi at all and he drives in the mid field, he will be forgotten after three races. That's how cruel it is in Formula One."

– "But Kimi will certainly be refreshing for this season, because as the sixth world champion he wants to know how good he still is", Lauda said.