James Hinchcliffe has revealed that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the accident at Indianapolis in May that left him requiring emergency surgery.
During practice for the 99th Indianapolis 500, the Canadian suffered a high-speed crash in which the wishbone from the underbody suspension connected to the wheels pierced his car and then his upper-left thigh.
Hinchcliffe left hospital after nine days, and was named the grand marshal for the Honda Indy Toronto, his home race, back in June.
The Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver is in Milwaukee this weekend for the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250, and confirmed that his recovery is going to plan.
“I’ve learned that doctors know what they’re talking about and I should listen to them,” Hinchcliffe is quoted as saying by indycar.com, lifting the lid on his road to recovery.
“I have an excellent team of doctors and physical therapists looking after me and have helped the recovery process go along as smoothly as possible.
“My energy level gets better every day. Strength gets better every day. Mobility gets better every day. It feels slow to me, but the doctors say everything is going quickly.”
Hinchcliffe explained how much of his recovery is currently focused on preparing him for further surgery, after which he will be able to take up a more physical recovery programme.
“The big goal for the doctors was to make sure that I recovered as well as possible from not only the surgery that I had, but from the trauma that my body experienced to prepare for the next surgery to make sure I’m as healthy as I am the next time I go under the knife,” Hinchcliffe said.
“That way I can bounce back quickly from that one, so the physical side of it will take place more so after that is done.”
Ryan Briscoe deputizes for Hinchcliffe once again this weekend in Milwaukee in the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250, racing in the no. 5 car. For full broadcasting details for the race, click here.