Zanardi undergoes another operation - condition stable

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Alex Zanardi has undergone another round of neurological surgery in Milan, and the ex-F1 driver's condition has been labeled as stable by his doctors.

The 53-year-old driver and Paralympian who suffered traumatic head injuries in a hand-bike accident in June endured three operations in Siena before he was recently moved to a specialized rehabilitation center.

Unfortunately, Zanardi's condition suddenly worsened last week, warranting the Italian's transfer back an intensive care unit of Milan's San Raffaele Hospital where he underwent another procedure led by Professor Pietro Mortini.

Zanardi moved back to intensive care unit as condition worsens

"The clinical and radiological tests confirm the successful outcome of the above mentioned treatments and the current clinical condition of the patient, who is still hospitalised in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, appears to be stable," read a statement from the hospital issued on Tuesday.

A veteran of 41 starts in F1, Zanardi also raced in the CART IndyCar series, wining the championship with Chip Ganassi racing in 1997 and 1998.

After losing both legs in a horrific IndyCar crash in Germany in 2001, Zanardi produced a heroic effort to return to racing two years later, competing in touring cars.

But the extraordinary Italian also boosted his track record as a Paralympian, winning a gold medal in the London Paralympics in 2012 in the individual time trial and road race in the hand-bike category.

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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.