Alex Peroni is facing a slightly longer period of recovery than initially anticipated, following his horrific crash at Monza last month.
Australian racing driver Alex Peroni’s recovery from injuries sustained at last month’s Italian Grand Prix will take slightly longer than originally anticipated, his management have confirmed.
Landing upside down on a tyre barrier after launching off a trackside kerb at the Parabolica at Monza, Peroni initially clambered out and walked away by himself. However, a medical examination revealed a broken vertebra which has resulted in him being sidelined from racing for the remainder of the year.
Placed into a back brace immediately as doctors determined there was no need for surgery, he made his way home to Hobart in Tasmania in the week after the Italian Grand Prix weekend. A further medical examination revealed some concussion, with no further symptoms shown.
On arrival in Tasmania his doctor referred him to a neurosurgeon who ordered new scans that confirmed his back should heal completely without the need for surgery. Moreover, Peroni should be able to return to racing with no lasting ill-effects.
The neurosurgeon advised however that the recovery will take three months instead of the initial estimate of 30 – 60 days. The additional time is essential to ensure Peroni’s bones have regained full strength before he begins fitness training. Peroni has been ordered to rest and wear a back brace when sitting or standing for the duration. Walking is fine and encouraged but nothing strenuous.
Naturally the extended recovery period has greatly disappointed the aspiring Formula 1 racer who had held outside hopes of making his planned debut in the Macau Grand Prix in November.
“I can’t wait to get back in the gym and back on the track, but for now a gentle walk is as good as it gets,” Peroni said.
“Even light weights are out. Hopefully I’ll be able to go to the pool and do some gentle resistance work in a month or so. I’m really looking forward to that. At least it will be a start.
“I’m so disappointed to have to sit out the rest of the year just when I was heading for my best race result in the championship. But for now, there’s nothing I can do – It’s all up to the medical experts.”
Peroni expressed his appreciation to everyone who sent him supportive messages, privately and via social media, since the accident.
“I’ve said it before, but honestly I can’t say it enough – Thank you so much to my sponsors, supporters and the thousands of well-wishers who have sent messages,” he said.
“It’s been humbling to know so many people genuinely care and support what I’m trying to achieve in Europe, so far away from this beautiful island, Tasmania, at the bottom of Australia.
“Thanks also to everyone at Campos Racing in Valencia. Their support has been unbelievable. They made me feel at home all year and have continued to do what they can to assist since the accident”.
Peroni’s manager, David Quinn, said the positive prognosis is excellent news for the young racer, not to mention a great relief to his family and friends.
“Alex’s health has been our number one priority since the accident, so the neurosurgeon’s report was very reassuring,” Quinn said.
He thanked everyone, including the media, for giving Alex a couple of weeks of peace and quiet since the accident.
“The last couple of weeks have been important for the commencement of Alex’s physical recovery and also to provide time for him to reflect on his future, even though there was never any doubt of his passion to return to racing and compete at the highest level.
“There’s also been the FIA investigation to consider and we haven’t wanted to get drawn publicly into that process. Just like Alex and his physical recovery, we have to be patient while the FIA complete their work but we would hope to see something finalised over the next couple of months.
“Our next task is covering the cost of Alex’s car which was a write-off in the accident and securing funding for his return to racing at the start of 2020.
“For Alex to make a successful return to racing in 2020 we need to secure the required budget to ensure adequate preseason testing as well as fund the championship. Last year we were constantly on the back foot. This year we want to give Alex a fair opportunity to compete. We are talking to existing sponsors and supporters and we’d love to hear from anyone else who’d like to help in 2020. It’s going to be a great comeback story providing we can secure the required funding”, Quinn said.
A major fundraiser, Get Alex back on track, is planned for 15 November this year. Details will be released soon.
