Gigi Galli is expected to be discharged from hospital today [Wednesday] following the high-speed accident on last weekend's Rallye Deutschland which left him with a broken leg.
Galli crashed his
Stobart Ford Focus RS WRC07 on day one's SS5 - the 23.04-kilometre Grafschaft Veldenz 2 test - and, after being airlifted to hospital with a fracture to his left femur, required surgery.
"[The crash] was a really bad moment," Galli said, "The organisers did a good job though, and the assistance - both immediately after the accident and here at the hospital in Trier - was very good. The Ford Focus proved to be very strong and the seat absorbed the impact quite well.
"I have to thank [co-driver] Giovanni [Bernacchini], who was really quick in getting help. Unfortunately, I'll have to stop for a while now, but I hope to recover soon. Wednesday I'll be going home and than we'll see [how my recovery goes].
"I want to thank everyone for their support too and for the many greetings they have sent me."
How long Galli will be out is currently uncertain, although doctors have estimated that he will be unable to walk on his left leg for six to eight weeks and will require physiotherapy after that.
As such, he may not compete again this season, although there is perhaps a slight outside chance that he could return for the Wales Rally GB, as that doesn't run until 5-7 December.
"We are glad that Gigi's operation went well," said Ford/M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson on Saturday, "He has had three pins put into his left leg. My wife has already been to the hospital to visit him. He is smiling and seems to be happy but, of course, he will be out for a long time - the next three to four events, if not for the whole season."
Francois Duval, meanwhile, will stand-in for Galli on the Rally New Zealand, having been confirmed by the Stobart Ford team on Tuesday. What will happen for the remaining rounds in Spain, Corsica, Japan and Wales is not yet known.
![Gigi Galli got a surprise on Sunday following the Rallye Deutschland when a number of his WRC colleagues visited him in hospital to convey their best wishes after he crashed out on day 1 and broke his left leg [Pic credit: Stobart Ford]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/481407.jpg)
