Lamborghini teenager Luca Engstler couldn't walk and had to use a wheelchair in the aftermath of his 230km/h disaster in the Macau GT in November.
Engstler caused a wide turn exiting Mandarin Bend qualifying for the FIA World Cup at Guia Circuit which resulted in his Lamborghini Huracan GT3 spinning before hitting the wall across from the course.
The speeding driver lost consciousness due to the crash before medical professionals transported him to seek hospital treatment. The medical tests discovered numerous injuries as his full recovery continues eight weeks after the car crashed into the wall.
"It was a real bump," he told sister. "The primary concern was that my right ankle was fairly badly wounded. I tore the lateral ligaments and had a lot of blood in my tibia and fibula, which was a bit alarming.
"I was in a wheelchair for the first two or three days because I truly couldn't move anything and it seemed like all my bones hurt. There were injuries everywhere and everything seemed somewhat tough."
A lot of variables contributed to his collision, including a lack of dry running in practice and a Balance of Performance that did not especially benefit the Lamborghini. However, Engstler argued that the collision, which knocked him out of the remainder of the weekend, was of his own making.
The German motorist also offered damning details of what transpired shortly after he hit the wall.
"I really wanted to get out of the car because I knew what a fast corner it was," he stated.
"I had my seat belt unbuckled and then I realised: not such a good idea after all! So I wanted to get out of the automobile as fast as possible.
The condition of my foot became evident to me when crossing that barrier until I lost consciousness while being taken to the hospital. I lost my mind shortly after the accident before doctors brought me back to hospital.
The Macau incident has brought him much pain but failed to diminish his love for auto racing.
The accident made him lose consciousness until medics revived him in the hospital where he had no recognition of his location or the situation. Doubts arise after you become aware of your situation followed by self-reflection about what brought you to this point.
"But you get up the following morning like after a horrible weekend and say, 'let's go!' When you're that furious [about racing] in your brain, nothing can stop you."
Following exiting the wheelchair, Engstler continued to have problems walking for "quite a long time" following the injury.
But the DTM race winner has made remarkable steps in his recuperation since then, and he was even able to visit Sweden for a trip over the winter break.
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He has also begun running but it probably won't be until February before he can hop in a car again.
"I was told that I should not or could not start exercising again until the beginning of February, but of course, I couldn't let that happen," he stated.
"I've started jogging for the first time, so everything is back to normal. I'd say I'm back to 95% presently and have no lingering effects.
"I really want to go karting next week so I can start with the basics again. Then I want to get in the vehicle in February or March before the big testing start."
While his initial outing in Macau was cut by an accident, he is determined to return to the iconic street circuit again this year.
"No matter who I talk to, I tell everyone I want to do Macau again," he remarked. "The moment we committed to the race [last year], my attitude was: either hospital or the trophy!
"Last year it was unfortunately hospital, this year hopefully the trophy!"