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Lefebvre targets 2016 comeback

Stéphane Lefebvre hopes to be back in action before the end of the 2016 season as he and co-driver Gabin Moreau continue to make a good recovery following their terrifying accident at ADAC Rallye Deutschland last month.

Both have returned to France after a lengthy period in hospital in Germany with multiple fractures following their massive 160kph crash into trees on the Baumholder military ranges, and already Lefebvre is thinking about his comeback.

"I hope to be in Corsica (29 September - 2 October) just to observe the event. That will allow me to spend time with the team before considering when I'll be back in action at a rally. The aim is to drive competitively again before the end of the season," he said.
After spending time at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital in Paris, Lefebvre returned to his home in northern France.

"Going back home was a key step for me," he explained. "I stopped using the crutches to walk very quickly and can now get around easily enough, even though I still have some pain in my ribs.

"To keep myself busy, I took out a cable TV subscription and I've been spending time on a driving simulator. When my lower back is strong enough again, I'll be able to start working on specific physiotherapy sessions with Citroën Racing's osteopath."

Moreau was the most seriously hurt, undergoing surgery on a broken left foot as well as fracturing his right leg, left hand and cracking a vertebra. He has been transferred to a Strasbourg hospital for a second operation on his tibia.

"According to the doctors, my progress has been quick since the operation, which involved removing the pins that had been put in place in Germany," he said. "Obviously, I can't put any weight on my foot as yet, but I have been able to begin moving around whilst taking the right precautions.

"As soon as I'm sufficiently independent again, I'll be able to spend a few days at home. After that, I'll continue my recovery in a specialist centre. The whole process will take several weeks, so it'll probably take a bit longer than Stéphane but we are both determined to start working together again as soon as possible."

Zdroj: wrc.com