Briscoe to leave hospital next week.

Ryan Briscoe should be allowed to leave hospital early next week following his spectacular crash last weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway.

The 23 year-old Australian born driver has been recuperating in Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital since Monday afternoon under the supervision of doctors Scott Bjerke, Terry Trammell and Kevin Sheid but the fact that his overall stay in hospital shouldn't number more than eight or nine days stands as another testament to the safety standards in the IRL following one of the worst looking non-fatal Indycar crashes in recent years.

Briscoe sustained a concussion, two broken collarbones, a bruised lung and contusions to his legs and arms. He also has a tiny fracture to a small bone in his right foot and several contusions on his back. All injuries are expected to heal without requiring further treatment or surgery.

Briscoe is expected to be transferred out of the critical care unit this weekend where he was being treated for breathing difficulties stemming from the inhalation of heat and vapours during the incident. He is expected to make a full recovery but will not return to the cockpit for the remaining two races of the 2005 season.