Wickens 'working hard' to improve paraplegia condition

©IndyCar

40

Robert Wickens faces a long road ahead to be able to regain his mobility, but the Canadian IndyCar driver is showing no lack of resolve or spirit.

Wickens suffered a horrendous crash at Pocono Raceway back in August that unfortunately left the Schmidt Peterson Motorsport driver paralyzed from the waist down - at least for now as his spinal cord injury was "incomplete", meaning it was not severed, a condition that could allow the 29-year-old to recover his mobility as nerve regeneration takes place.

McLaren scraps 2019 IndyCar plans - Alonso one-off still possible

"Did my first slide transfer as a paraplegic today," he wrote.

"My upper body is getting stronger every day. I’ve only been posting videos of the small movement in my legs. but the reality is I am far away from walking on my own.

"I’ve never worked harder for anything in my life. More to come!"

The message included a short video in which team boss Sam Schmidt - who is paralyzed from the neck down as the result of an injury sustained in a crash at Walt Disney World Speedway in 2000 - can be seen looking on in the background, rooting for Wickens as he battles his paralysis.

After a successful stint in the DTM series with Mercedes, Wickens took IndyCar by storm this year when he qualified on pole for his first-ever start and almost won the IndyCar round at St. Petersburg last March.

Despite the tragic misfortune that befell him at Pocono, Wickens still won the 2018 Sunoco IndyCar Rookie of the Year Award thanks to his previous performances.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.