Ferrari spokesman, Claudio Berro, and Schumacher's personal spokesman, Heine Buchinger, both said tonight that the doctors expect Michael Schumacher to be absent for a period of six to eight weeks. This means he may be back for the Belgian Grand Prix or the Italian one. Furthermore, Ferrari confirmed tonight that, having checked the telemetry data from Schumacher's car, the accident was caused by a failure to the rear brakes.

Schumacher underwent an hour long operation on his right leg, where he suffers two fractures, in the Northampton General Hospital. The hospital spokesman said Schumacher's operation went well, and that Schumacher is concious. "He is recovering from the operation," Chief executive of the hospital, David Wilson, said. "All I can say is the operation was a success. It was an uncomplicated fracture and the surgeon is very pleased with the progress that has been made." Wilson added that a full, official report on Schumacher's condition will be released tomorrow morning.

Schumacher is expected to spend the night at the hospital, after which he may be transferred to a Paris hospital, where an orthopedic expert will look into his injury and help him to a speedy recovery. Furthermore, reports from the hospital say that Schumacher is expected to make a full recovery and will not suffer side effects into the future, albeit a platine plate inserted into his leg temporarily.

Ferrari will announce who will be Schumacher's replacement within a short while, however, it was revealed that Luca di Montezemolo has already inquired with Peter Sauber if he will be willing to allow Jean Alesi to fill Schumacher's place, and Sauber apparently agreed.