Alex Yoong Back in Action

Misano, Italy - Friday, 10th Sept 1999 - After the horrific crash at Spa less than 2 weeks ago and a week of intensive training and therapy at the Pisa sports medicine clinic of Dr. Ricardo Cecarelli, Alex drove his first half hour test session in his Monaco Motorsports F3000 at the Misano Circuit today.

His times at the test put to rest all doubts about his physical condition as he reeled in very respectable times despite his first visit to the Misano circuit. He was on the pace with the top drivers with only a second separating them.

The Monaco team boss, Lamberto Leoni who was to decide whether Alex races this weekend after the half hour test said, "I am impressed and have full admiration of Alex's perfect and strong pyhsical and mental condition that he presented himself today. He will race and I further am hopeful that he'll give the team a strong performance."

Alex attributed his quick recovery to the good team of specialist doctors who took care of him and helped in the accelerated rehabilitation when he said, "I must firstly thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports who insisted that their sponsorship be used for my insurance cover. With this insurance cover I could get the best medical help there is to offer. Without the specialists I would be out for at least 6 weeks instead of 2 weeks."

Alex checked in to Dr. Cecarelli's clinic on Monday where he was subjected to reaction and concentration tests before starting on his mental training as well as physical training. After that it was daily physio-therapy in the morning, mental and physical training in the day and then physio-therapy in the night.

Hanifah Yoong who was present with Alex all the 2 weeks following the accident, said, "Dr.Cecarelli's procedures and up-to-date methods were really an eye-opener for both Alex and me. This is his 11th year of training and rehabilating Formula 1 drivers since he set up his practice in 1986. I have never encountered the reaction and concentration training methods that he uses."

Qualifying for this weekend's Italian F3000 Championship round 5 at Misano is tomorrow at 3.30pm and the race will be run over 25 laps at 3.30pm on Sunday.

Alex is presently 6th in the championship with 8 points and he has a good chance to finish in the top 3 despite having started this championship only from round 3.