There are positive signs for recovery and a speedy return to the sport for the Citroen crew who crashed on stage 10 of Rallye Deutschland.
Citroen pair Kris Meeke and Stephane Lefebvre."I can remember the whole thing very clearly,” Stephane Lefebvre said.
“I had noted a right-hand turn with a corner that could be cut. Given the marks left by the other competitors, I had turned in slightly early, but the car drifted onto the outside of the corner and we hit a row of hinkelsteins (embedded concrete marker stones).
“The last stone turned the car around and sent it flying into the trees. That was what caused the most damage."
Co-driver Gabin Moreau stated: "Eric Camilli and Benjamin Veillas, who had started the stage just after us, were the first to arrive on the scene. We're friends and when they saw what had happened, they stopped to help us.
“Then the medical teams arrived and they managed to get me out of the car. We were then taken to hospital by helicopter."
Stephane, who borrowed the car from Citroen and started the event with help from private sponsors had been happy with progress till the crash.
“We had found the right set-up for the stages held in the Baumholder military base. And above all, I was the only one to have made the right call in opting for hard compound Michelin tyres.
“After claiming a stage win on SS9, I was pushing to set a good time and wrestle fifth place from Ott Tänak."
Doctors have told Stephane that if recovery continues to go as well, he could return to France at the start of this week.
Gabin: "I had an operation yesterday on my broken leg and everything went well. Doctors hope I will be able to fly home in the middle of this week.
“It's going to take time for the fractures to heal, but I'm determined to recover as quickly as possible!"
Stephane added: “The only thing that is really getting to me is the fact I might not be able to take part in the Tour de Corse.”
- Martin Holmes
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