Although the initial suggestion was that he wouldn't re-appear in the American Le Mans Series until July, Tomas Enge has been given the green light to return to racing next weekend for the fifth round of the season at Salt Lake City.
The Petersen Motorsport/White Lightning suffered a broken elbow, broken ribs and partially collapsed lung in an accident during the Grand Prix of St Petersburg back in March and wasn't expected to return to the #31
Ferrari 430 until at least 7 July and the event at Lime Rock.
However, doctors have now passed the Czech driver fit to return to his regular seat for next weekend's race – where he likely to partner the man who deputised for him while he was on the sidelines, Dirk Muller – and can also focus on next months Le Mans 24 Hours, where he will race as part of the Aston Martin Racing line-up.
“I am overjoyed,” Enge admitted. “My doctor Tim Weber told me after today's checks that there is nothing to prevent my return to the cockpit. He told me this after he saw my latest X-ray pictures. I have got a permission to test with my team Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning to test at Salt Lake next week and to race there on 19 May.
“I am going to continue my intensive rehabilitation before I will climb behind the wheel and I can do exercises with weight again. I am sure that my determination to get back was a big help in my recovery, I did everything what I could have done and I think that I was an extraordinary obedient and cooperative patient. I said the news about my return to the bosses of my team and basically immediately I got phones from all team members that they are looking forward to see me back in the car. I can not wait and I believe that I will be soon as quick as I was before the accident.
“I am taking the test and race also as a preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours. I should have better idea after a race in the Ferrari 430 how I will behind the wheel of more powerful Aston Martin DBR9.”
