Five months after a handbike crash which left him in a critical state, new updates concerning the recovery ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi have suggested he is now in a stable condition.
He has been transferred to a new hospital to accelerate his convalescence.
Zanardi’s new hospital in Padua puts the 54-year-old and starter of 41 grands prix closer to his family home.
He underwent several surgeries after a life-threatening accident when his handbike collided with a truck while competing on a stage of the Obiettivo Tricolore relay event.
“The patient has reached a generally stable physical and neurological condition that permitted his transfer to another hospital equipped with all the necessary clinical specialties and closer to the family home,” read a statement issued today by the hospital.
“In the last two months he was also able to undertake a course of physical and cognitive rehabilitation.”
Despite being in a stable condition, doctors have warned the accident has caused untreatable brain damage. He has already suffered severe facial and cranial trauma.
Zanardi is a two-time CART champion who had both his legs amputated after a horrific crash while racing in Germany.
Since then he has earned four gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. Zanardi also competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record in his class putting the Italian as one of the most versatile athletes of his generation.
His indomitable spirit throughout his life as a Paralympian has inspired the motor racing and broader sporting community. He has made guest appearances in the World Touring Car Championship, the Daytona 24 Hour and DTM.
He was set to contest a round of the Italian GT Championship at Monza later this month.
