Monfardini Hospitalised

Monfardini initially went to the hospital following race one, where he was running in a strong fourth position until an electrical problem stopped his car, suffering from a groin injury. After an examination the Italian was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

As a result he was unable to return to the track in time for Friday's warm-up session, but joined the team prior to lunch. After a lengthy discussion Monfardini elected to race in the final event.

"Ferdinando and I talked for a long time about whether he should race or not," team principal Paolo Coloni exclusively told Autosport-Atlas by phone from the hospital. "I told him he did not have to race, but he really wanted to get back into the car.

"I also told him to pull out at any time if he felt any pain, but he told me he felt fine all through the race. Considering what happened I think he drove an amazing race."

Monfardini started 21st on the grid but fought his way up to eleventh, and was in the thick of an almost race-long battle that finished with the gap between sixth and thirteenth being just seven seconds.

Monfardini started to complain of pain upon his return to the pits, and was immediately taken back to hospital, where a quick examination led to an immediate trip to surgery for an operation on his groin. Upon notification of this, the team's management drove straight to hospital to be with their driver.

The operation was a success, and it is expected that Monfardini will not suffer any long term debilitation as a result of the injury. He is due to stay in hospital for three days to recuperate from the surgery.