Zoom 'I found myself spinning in the air! Next was a big bang'

Jamie Campbell-Walter is recovering following his accident in qualification for the 1000km at Monza. The British racer lost control of the Pescarolo-Judd at the second chicane and made heavy contact with the barriers. The Creation driver is now recovering from the injuries sustained and is hopeful that he can be back behind the wheel in August.

Q: It has been 4 weeks since your accident in Monza. How are you feeling now?
"I am recovering well, lying on my bed most of the day trying to get better! I have 3 broken vertebras (D9, 10, 11) and a fourth (L1) that is cracked with a lot of bruising. In 3 weeks, I will have another CT scan on my back, to make sure everything is recovering well, hopefully, I will be able to stop wearing my back brace after this scan. The brace is very uncomfortable but is necessary for my recovery. I am feeling much better and would say that my recovery has been much better than expected, considering 4 weeks ago I could not walk unaided! Now, I am able to spend about 4-5 hours on my feet a day and the rest of time in bed. I am obviously not running around playing football with my 4 year old son yet! But hopefully I will make a full recovery."

Q. What do you remember about the crash?
"I remember everything up to the impact, but it is all a bit vague after. I remember crossing the finish line and seeing 1.35.8 come up on the dash and thinking that's not a bad first attempt for qualifying! I was on my second flying lap, everything was good with the car and I was sure that I could do a low 1.35. I was approaching the second chicane when bang – the front right wheel collapsed and I felt that I had no control of which way the car would go. I tried braking but the car didn't really slow down very much, and then I found myself spinning in the air! Next was a BIG BANG. Sorry but I can't tell you much more than that. It is a shame because I am sure we could have challenged Oreca for 6th place."

Q. Have you seen the amateur video on YouTube, or would you not care to watch that?
"I have seen it, and yes it doesn't look like a big one because there is just one impact. Whereas Stefan Ortelli's looks very dramatic, I have spoken with Stefan and he is recovering well and my thoughts are with him."

Q. What is your daily 'regime'? And do you see a Specialist regularly for progress reports?
"I am in bed for 18 hours of a 24 hour period, so it's pretty dull and the boredom is getting to me. But, I have to do as the doctor's tell me. I have another CT scan on my back on the 9th June so hopefully I will be able to tell you more after this date."

Q. When are you able to get back to training again?
"I am not allowed to do any training until the bones in my back are fully recovered. But as soon as I can I will be and I am itching to get back into the car!"

Q. I expect you wish you were in Spa this past weekend? Did you follow the team's progress on TV?
"I wish I had been at Spa to cheer the team along but, I managed to follow the qualifying and race on the TV. Radio Le Mans was also very good as was the live timing. I was in contact with the team after every practice session and Stuart Hall kept me informed of how the car was. It's just a shame they didn't have a better result."

Q. What did you think of Stuart and Robbie's performance in the race at Monza?
"Great result and they both did a fantastic job. Just a shame they didn't bring me any silverware!"

Q. There has been a lot of people getting in touch, wishing you well....
"I tell you, I must have had in the region of 200 emails, 100 text messages and lots of phone calls!!! I would now like to say a very big thank you to family, friends, sponsors, fans and competitors for all their support and good wishes over the past few weeks. I never knew that I knew that many people!! It has been over whelming the response and it really did pick me up and make me see light at the end of the tunnel."

Q. And the BIG question everyone wants to know, when do you expect to be race-fit again?
"Well, I was hoping to be fixed for Le Mans, but I guess that was wishful thinking. So, my next target is the LMS race at Nurburgring which is in the middle of August. It will be three and a half months from my accident and if the bones have healed by the middle of July then that will give me one month to get fit for the race. So if everyone keeps their fingers crossed I will see them in Germany with my helmet on!"

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