Burti speaks about Spa crash

The Brazilian, who sustained head injuries in the high-speed impact, will remain under observation at the Liege University's hospital until the weekend.

"I cannot yet tell what really happened," he said. "I remember being quite fast and trying to overtake Eddie Irvine, but I don't remember the crash.

"I feel quite [a lot of] pain in all my body, mainly in the back. To be honest, I want to get out from the bed as soon as possible and catch up again with my driver routine, but I know that it is important to remain resting for a few days."

Burti's doctors are upbeat about his chances of making a full recovery from his injuries.

"We have done new detailed examinations all over his body and the results are quite positive," said Gary Harstein, a member of the official team of FIA doctors. "There are no fractures or injuries, just a few haematomas [blood clots] in the body, as well as in the forehead and cheeks, which should disappear in a few days.

"The small bleeding in his head hasn't enlarged since Sunday afternoon and the tendency is [for] it to be absorbed by the body, a process which should evolve very well, making his recuperation a good one."

Luciano's parents, Vera and Luiz Carlos Burti, are at his bedside as is his fiancée Carolina Campos.

"Regardless of what they told us that everything was all right, we had to see with our own eyes that our son is in good health," said his father. "The whole family would like to thank all the messages of support we received."

Burti is still receiving anaesthetic to ease the pain and the doctors continue to advise him to rest and sleep. He could leave the Intensive Care Unit today, subject to further tests, after which he will be transferred to a regular room at the hospital.