Bautista back in Spain for recovery

The Spaniard broke his left femur in a high-side crash at Losail during Friday practice and had to undergo surgery to insert a metal pin into the bone.

Although the surgery was a success, Bautista suffered some minor complications as he developed Compartmental Syndrome, which occurs when pressure within the muscles around the injury builds to dangerous levels.

This can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells and hampering the healing process.

As a consequence, Bautista had to have a second operation to open a surgical cut in his leg to relieve the pressure. The wound was left open as he was then transferred to Madrid to receive further treatment.

Bautista was examined by doctors upon his arrival in Spain and underwent another operation to close the wound.

Suzuki said the procedure was a success and the pressure around the injury had decreased, which enabled Bautista to take his first few tentative steps on Thursday.

Bautista has no date set for his return, and will be replaced by John Hopkins in the next race at Jerez.