Zanardi transferred to specialized rehabilitation center

©UweAnspach/EPA

Former F1 driver Alex Zanardi has been transferred to a specialized rehabilitation center more than a month after the handbike accident that left the Italian with sever head and facial injuries.

Zanardi was placed in a medically induced coma by his doctors at Siena's Santa Maria alle Scotta hospital after his crash and underwent three separate neurological surgeries.

On Tuesday, a health bulletin released by the hospital stated that Zanardi's sedation is being gradually reduced.

Zanardi airlifted to hospital after handbike accident

Furthermore, thanks to "the normality of the cardio-respiratory and metabolic parameters, the stability of the general clinical conditions and the neurological picture", the Italian's condition allows for his transfer to a "specialized recovery and functional rehabilitation center".

Hospital general manager Valtere Giovannini said: "Our professionals remain at the disposal of this extraordinary person and his family for the further stages of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic development, as always happens in these cases.

"I sincerely thank the multidisciplinary team that took care of Zanardi putting in place a great professionalism, recognized nationally and beyond.

"The athlete spent over a month in our hospital: he underwent three delicate surgeries and showed a path of stability of his clinical conditions and vital parameters that allowed the reduction and suspension of sedation, and the consequent possibility to be transferred to a facility for the necessary neuro-rehabilitation."

The statement offered no further information on the extent of Zanardi's injuries or a prognosis on the 53-year-old's recovery.

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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.