Previous Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi is in a “severe but steady” issue soon after owning surgical procedure on a head injuries sustained in an incident for the duration of a handbike relay in his indigenous Italy.
The 53-calendar year-old was concerned in a crash with a lorry in Pienza on Friday.
Zanardi was taken by helicopter to healthcare facility in Siena, where by he is on a ventilator in intense treatment.
“The procedure went as it must have, it was the original situation that was not good,” Zanardi’s surgeon reported.
“What the prognosis will be tomorrow, in a 7 days, in 15 times, I will not know.
“Serious implies he is in a circumstance the place he could die, in these conditions enhancements can be pretty little about time and worsening can be sudden.”
The clinic had earlier stated “the neurological picture remains really serious” following an procedure that lasted practically 3 hours.
Zanardi experienced equally legs amputated after crashing in the American Memorial 500 Cart race at Lausitz, Germany, in 2001.
He has because become a 4-time Paralympic handcycling gold medallist.
“You have never ever presented up and with your incredible fortitude you have triumph over a thousand challenges,” Italian primary minister Giuseppe Conte explained on Twitter.
“Arrive on Alex Zanardi, will not give up. All of Italy is fighting with you.”
Former Components 1 globe champion Mario Andretti tweeted: “I am so anxious and frightened about Alex Zanardi that I’m keeping my breath. I am his admirer. I am his close friend.
“Please do what I am executing and pray, pray for this wonderful person.”
Zanardi was taking aspect in an function identified as the Obiettivo Tricolore, a journey where by the members ride across Italy on handbikes, cycles or wheelchairs.
