CHAMPCAR/CART: Zanardi out of immediate danger

Updated:
2001-09-17 21:30 EDT

Motorsport.com - The condition of the two-time CART champion, Alessandro Zanardi, has now been upgraded to the point where his condition is no longer considered life-threatening.

Zanardi underwent a further two-hour follow-up operation earlier today to clean his wounds and to ensure that no debris remained in his wounds. He remains in intensive care at the Berlin-Marzahn hospital, under medication heavy enough to artifically induce a coma.

According to the hospital, the level of medication is gradually being reduced, but his progress is being closely monitored to ensure that the level of medication continues to be appropriate to his condition.

"In the moment, he's stable, don't get me wrong. But it could change at any moment," Dr. Walter Schaffartzik commented. "It's my impression that he's getting more stable."

"Everything looks fine at the moment," he continued. "There are no infections, the skin looks good, the muscles look good."

Zanardi underwent a three-hour operation yesterday to amputate both of his legs above the knee (see story), following a heavy crash at the new Lausitzring circuit, south of Berlin.

As the popular Italian driver exited the pits after his final stop, he lost control of his car, and slid across the high-speed tri-oval track.

Alexandre Tagliani, traveling at over 180 mph (290 km/h) could not avoid him, and impacted Zanardi's car just behind the front suspension (see separate story). The carbon fiber monocoque tore apart from the force of the impact, leaving Zanardi's legs unprotected.

Zanardi's family has asked that donations be made in his name to:

World Association to Aid Children
Association Mondial pur l'Aid des Enfant
20 Avenue de Fontvieille
MC 98000
Monaco

Cards and letters can be sent to:

Mo Nunn Racing
2920 Fortune Circle West, Suite E
Indianapolis, IN 46241
USA

Motorsport.com will update this story as more details become available.