Zanardi improves, moved to local hospital

Ex-F1 driver Alex Zanardi has been transferred to a hospital closer to home after his condition improved, according to reports.

Firstpost are reporting that the Paralympian has been transferred from the San Raffaele hospital in Milan to one closer to his home in Padua due to an improvement in his condition, as per a report from the hospital.

The 53-year-old Italian was placed in a medically-induced coma and had three operations at Siena’s Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital following his devastating accident during a road race near the Italian city on June 19.

In August, the San Raffaele hospital reported that “significant clinical improvements” had been seen in the 54-year-old.

“After a period during which he was subjected to intensive care following hospitalisation on 24 July, the patient responded with significant clinical improvements. For this reason, he is currently assisted and treated with semi-intensive care at the Neuroreanimation Unit, directed by Professor Luigi Beretta,” read their statement at the time.

So the news that Zanardi is now well enough to be moved to a more local hospital to continue his treatment is very positive indeed.

The current statement from San Raffaele hospital confirmed Zanardi had “reached a physical and neurological condition of general stability which has allowed the transfer to another hospital facility and the consequent approach to the family home”.

Zanardi enjoyed his most successful spell as a racing driver in the CART series in North America, becoming champion in 1997 and 1998.

He would make his Formula debut in 1991 with the Jordan team before spells with Minardi and Lotus in the following two years.

After returning to F1 for a single, unproductive season with Williams in 1999, his motor racing career was ended two years later by a horrific crash at the Lausitzring in a CART championship race which caused both of his legs to be amputated.

Since then, Zanardi has enjoyed considerable success as a para-cyclist, winning four Paralympic gold medals and 12 World Championship titles.

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