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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Bernhard On Road To Recovery
Audi driver questionable for Le Mans as the German continues rehabilitation process following testing accident...
It's still questionable whether Timo Bernhard will be fully recovered in time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. (Photo: LAT)
Audi Sport driver Timo Bernhard may be forced to sit out the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the German's recovery from a spinal injury continues following last month's testing accident at Sebring.
Bernhard, who was driving one of Audi's brand-new R18 Ultras in a post-12 Hours test, sustained a fractured cervical vertebrae in the high-speed accident, caused by an undisclosed mechanical failure on the diesel-powered LMP1 contender.
After spending a few nights in a local hospital and an extended vacation in Florida, the 31-year-old returned home two weeks ago. While surgery has not been needed, Bernhard continues to wear a neck brace for the healing process.
Last week, Audi announced the appointment of former Peugeot factory driver Marc Gene as its new reserve driver, who will fill in for Bernhard in next month's Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
It now appears the Spaniard could also take the seat alongside Romain Dumas and Loic Duval for the twice-around-the-clock June classic, if Bernhard is not yet fully fit.
"There is a chance that I will be back behind the wheel in Le Mans," Bernhard said. "That’s what we are all currently working toward. But I’m not yet ready to compete in motorsport.
"Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, has signed up a highly experienced backup driver, Marc Gené, to step in for me in the second WEC race in Spa. The race is on May 5, so I’ll have to watch that one on the TV at home."
For now, Bernhard is fully focused on his rehabilitation program, despite being forced to sit out at least one race.
"I started a rehabilitation program in the USA, and I am continuing with that," he explained. "My personal trainer is assisting me at the Olympic training center at the state sports school in Saarbrücken.
"I am rigorously sticking to my training program and feel very good about that, and I know that I will be 100 percent fit again at the end of the process."
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Bernhard, who was driving one of Audi's brand-new R18 Ultras in a post-12 Hours test, sustained a fractured cervical vertebrae in the high-speed accident, caused by an undisclosed mechanical failure on the diesel-powered LMP1 contender.
After spending a few nights in a local hospital and an extended vacation in Florida, the 31-year-old returned home two weeks ago. While surgery has not been needed, Bernhard continues to wear a neck brace for the healing process.
Last week, Audi announced the appointment of former Peugeot factory driver Marc Gene as its new reserve driver, who will fill in for Bernhard in next month's Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
It now appears the Spaniard could also take the seat alongside Romain Dumas and Loic Duval for the twice-around-the-clock June classic, if Bernhard is not yet fully fit.
"There is a chance that I will be back behind the wheel in Le Mans," Bernhard said. "That’s what we are all currently working toward. But I’m not yet ready to compete in motorsport.
"Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, has signed up a highly experienced backup driver, Marc Gené, to step in for me in the second WEC race in Spa. The race is on May 5, so I’ll have to watch that one on the TV at home."
For now, Bernhard is fully focused on his rehabilitation program, despite being forced to sit out at least one race.
"I started a rehabilitation program in the USA, and I am continuing with that," he explained. "My personal trainer is assisting me at the Olympic training center at the state sports school in Saarbrücken.
"I am rigorously sticking to my training program and feel very good about that, and I know that I will be 100 percent fit again at the end of the process."
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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