Zanardi out of danger

Zanardi is in good spirits despite his injuries

Injured ex-Formula One driver Alex Zanardi who came out of a coma last week is making good progress and is out of danger in hospital after losing both his legs in a crash.

Walter Schaffartzik, medical director of the intensive care unit at the Berlin hospital, said: "His healing process is continuing in a satisfactory way.

"He is in a good mood, despite the severe injuries he has sustained and he is optimistic.

"We have to keep following the situation day by day before deciding when he can leave the intensive care unit."

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Zanardi had both legs amputated in an operation lasting over three hours following his accident in a race for the US-based Cart championship at the Lausitzring near Berlin on 15 September.

The event was Cart's official debut in Europe.

Zanardi started his Cart career in 1996 and went on to win the championship in 1997 and 1998, becoming only the third driver in the history of the series to claim back-to-back titles.

He was out of F1 for nine months after an accident during qualifying for the 1993 Belgian Grand Prix.

He returned to Cart racing this season after a two-year absence. He had returned to F1 in 1999, but was dismissed by the Williams team after just one disappointing season.