Following his huge accident in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on Sunday, John McPhee remains in the care of the St. Kilda Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

Tests have shown he has small pockets of air trapped between his lungs and chest wall: A pneumothorax. Until these air pockets reduce in size, John cannot fly. The condition of his lungs is being monitored and, when satisfactory, he will fly back to the UK.

Specialists will also operate on his broken thumb later this week.

“I’m very comfortable”, said John, “and the staff at The Philip Island circuit, the clinica mobile and here at the hospital have been fantastic. Considering the bang I had I don’t feel so bad and now I just want to get back to full fitness again as soon as possible”.

As a result of this, John will certainly miss Malaysia and also probably the last race at Valencia.