Zanardi positive about his future

Although Zanardi had both legs amputated above the knee after the crash, the Italian knows how close he came to losing his life as well. He spoke to Italian weekly magazine Autosprint from hospital in Berlin about how he is approaching his future.

"By now I've been able to take in what has happened," he said. "I'm trying to get through this in the most positive way possible. I don't think about what I lost, but everything I've still got, which I've realised is a great deal. Apart from some pain I'm fine."

Zanardi was dicing for a top three finish at Lausitz when the accident occurred. He lost control of his Mo Nunn Racing Reynard-Honda exiting the pits and spun on to the track and into the path of Alex Tagliani, who was travelling at 190mph. His Player's/Forsythe machine struck Zanardi's behind the front-left wheel, tearing off the front of Alex's car.

"I can remember nothing about the accident," said Zanardi. "I remember leaving for Germany and then the rest is just an absolute blank. I've seen some newspaper reports of the accident and some photos, but I didn't feel up to watching a video of what happened. It's important not to think too much about what has happened. I've always looked forward and that's what I intend doing this time."

Zanardi's doctors say will be able to learn to walk again with artificial limbs. Later this month he will be transferred to a specialist rehabilitation centre near Bologna, Italy.

"There have been difficult moments and I know there will be more in the future, but with every day that goes by things are getting better," he said. "Even my legs, what's left of them, I'm learning to control my movements better. I want to, and I must, think positively. I've got a new life ahead of me and now I want to use all my energy to make the most of it."