Ex-F1 driver Alex Zanardi stable after latest round of surgery

Ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi is in a “stable” condition in a Milan hospital following his latest neurological operation.

Zanardi suffered serious head injuries in a collision with a truck while taking part in a demonstration handbike run near Siena in Italy on 19 June.

The former IndyCar champion and Paralympic gold medalist was moved back to the intensive care unit in the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan last week just days after being transferred to a specialist recovery unit.

Following three operations at Seina hospital, Zanardi was placed into an induced coma but was having his sedation gradually decreased.

Having spent nearly a month in hospital, the 53-year-old Italian’s condition had improved sufficiently for him to be moved to continue his recovery at a nearby rehabilitation clinic.

But after Zanardi’s condition worsened, he returned to hospital, this time in Milan, where he has undergone a fourth operation.

He was operated on by Professor Pietro Mortini, and the San Raffaele hospital confirmed in a statement that the surgery was a success.

"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," the hospital said.

After a difficult spell in F1, Zanardi went on to win the CART championship twice before a horrific crash at the Lausitzring in 2001 led to the amputation of both his legs.

He has since made a return to motorsport, while also pursing a career as a Paralympic athlete. Zanardi has claimed four golf medals in hand bike racing in the 2012 and 2016 games.