Alex Zanardi remains in a serious condition in intensive care after he sustained serious injuries in a road accident on Friday.
The 53-year-old was competing in a handcycling event when he is understood to have been involved in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle.
Zanardi was transported by helicopter to Siena University Hospital and underwent a two-and-a-half-hour surgery on Friday evening.
Doctors conducted “neurosurgery and maxillofacial surgery due to the severe head trauma” and did not provide a prognosis, confirming his situation was serious.
On Saturday morning a further bulletin was issued by the hospital treating Zanardi.
“The Health department of Siena AOU informs that the patient underwent a delicate neurosurgery on the evening of 19 June, and was subsequently transferred to the ICU, has stable metabolic and hemodynamic parameters.
“He is intubated and supported by artificial ventilation while the neurological picture remains serious.”
Zanardi has won six Paralympic medals – four Gold and two Silver – in handcycling at the most recent two games in London and Rio.
Zanardi, who started 41 Formula 1 grands prix in the 1990s either side of two CART titles, underwent a double leg amputation in 2001 after being involved in a high-speed crash at the Lausitzring.
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