The Italian race car driver Alex Zanardi, who was involved in a paracycling accident last month, has been transferred to a specialist neuro-rehabilitation center, the organisation said on Friday.
Marussia driver Zanardi’s life hung in balance after his car flipped over on the second lap of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
It was the second high-profile accident at the Australian circuit this year, after Felipe Massa was injured in his Williams in the rainy February practice session and underwent a lengthy operation.
In a statement, the Jackie Chan Foundation said Zanardi’s recovery would take “a further five weeks to complete”.
“He will undergo a three-month course of physical training, before he can transfer into the patient care unit of the Marzotto Neurorehabilitation Centre,” it said.
“The left side of his body is not functioning and he has short-term memory loss. Alex’s children Alfonso and Alexandra said they are waiting and hoping.”
Zanardi’s accident raised the issue of the risks involved in paracycling, with competitors travelling at speeds of more than 60mph.
The 39-year-old former F1 driver is a renowned champion of motorcycle road racing and two-wheel cycling, in addition to a career on two wheels in Formula One.
