Da Matta up and about
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ByEurosport
Published 01/09/2006 at 09:46 GMT
Cristiano da Matta is now walking and talking as he continues to recover from a horrendous testing crash at Road America last month.
2006 San Jose RuSPORT Da Matta Wilson
Image credit: From Official Website
Brazilian da Matta, 32, collided with a deer who had run onto the Road America circuit during a ChampCar test session last month and suffered serious head injuries.
He was put in an intensive care unit at a Wisconsin hospital and stayed there for over two weeks before being moved into a regular ward 10 days ago.
ChampCar's medical delegate Dr Chris Pinderski visited da Matta yesterday and confirmed that the 2002 series champion is now walking short distances and speaking in two languages.
"Cristiano has made excellent progress in the past several days,” said Pinderski.
“Although he is still somewhat confused, he is now conversational in both English and Portuguese.
“Additionally, he has started to walk on his own for short periods of time with minimal assistance. We anticipate that Cristiano will be ready to make the transition to a rehabilitation setting next week."
No comment has yet been made by da Matta's family or his RuSport team on whether he will be able to return to racing before the end of the season.
RuSport have run only one car for Brit Justin Wilson since da Matta's crash.
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