Wilson feared for Pivato's life

Pivato was brought out of his medically induced coma, with his wife Agnes and his brother-in-law by his bedside, yesterday and then spent the day chatting with his family and Duval, who has remained in Sapporo since the stage six accident on Friday.

The doctors expect Pivato to travel back to France for a final operation on his fractured pelvis and broken right tibia, which will be completed in Lyon. It is hoped he will fly on Friday or Saturday this week.

Wilson has spoken frankly about his concerns during the event and his gratitude at the World Rally Championship community which helped save Pivato's life.

Wilson said: "The severity of this accident shocked me and there were times during last Friday night when we feared the worst. Thankfully Patrick is on the road to recovery. So on behalf of Stobart Motorsport, Ford Motor Company and his family and friends, now seems the right time to pass on my heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave their assistance during what was a difficult period.

"Unfortunately there are too many people to mention individually. But Rally Japan's medical staff and rescue teams at the scene of the accident did a really professional job in extricating Patrick from the car and transferring him to hospital in Sapporo. The skill of the doctors and surgeons there saved his life and for that we are truly grateful.

"During the Friday night it became apparent that the lack of the rare A- blood in Sapporo could become a real concern during surgery. My thanks go to those people from teams, organisations and the media who responded to an SOS appeal to donate blood from that group during the night. Further volunteers came forward the following day to ensure medical staff had sufficient blood to ease their fears.

"And my thanks must also go to fellow competitors who gave such valuable assistance at the accident scene. Particular praise should go to Denis Giraudet (who was competing in Japan with P-WRC driver Eyvind Brynildsen), a good friend of Patrick's. He took the decision to accompany Patrick to hospital in the ambulance and helicopter and remained with him until emergency surgery began.

"He left to tackle the final two stages at Sapporo Dome before returning to the hospital, where he spent much of the night alerting colleagues by telephone of the need for blood. He remained in close contact with Patrick's wife, Agnes, before returning to the team's hotel and finalising her travel arrangements to Sapporo. He had little more than one hour's sleep before restarting the rally.

"I was genuinely moved by the wonderful spirit and camaraderie shown by the WRC community to one of its colleagues. On the special stages competition is rightfully fierce, but last weekend the 'family' nature of the WRC came to the fore when rivalries were thrown aside in the desire to help one of its own.

"Once again my thanks go to everyone who helped, offered support or who has enquired as to Patrick's welfare and I'm looking forward to the day when we can welcome him back to a WRC event."