Zanardi Out of 'Acute Danger'

Italian Alex Zanardi remained in critical condition but was stable three days after his horrific high-speed crash at a CART race in Germany, doctors treating the driver said.

Dr. Walter Schaffartzik said Zanardi's life was "no longer in acute danger" and that he was "cautiously optimistic" about the outlook for the 34-year-old former Formula One driver.

"The next few days will be decisive," said Dr. Gert Schroeter, the head physician in the intensive care ward at the Berlin hospital where Zanardi is being treated.

The German doctors said Zanardi was no longer losing blood and that transfusions were no longer required.

"The situation has stabilised," said Schroeter. He said Zanardi was, however, unable to receive visitors.

The Italian had to have both legs amputated in an operation lasting over three hours on Saturday night, a few hours after his accident on the official European debut of the U.S. racing series. On Monday bone splinters were removed to reduce the risk of infection.

Zanardi also suffered several pelvis fractures, which did not require surgery, but what worried doctors the most was that he had lost a lot of blood.