Zanardi

"It's encouraging the way he's getting better," Dr. Walter Schaffartzik said. "He was pulled out of the induced coma in phases."

Zanardi began emerging from the coma slowly Wednesday night after doctors reduced drugs that induced the state to cut the chances of organ failure. He regained full consciousness on Thursday when the sedatives wore off, doctors said.

"We're all very, very happy," Honda spokesman Dan Layton said. "By noon he was chatting with (wife) Daniela."

The 34-year-old Italian, one of CART's most popular drivers, faces another routine exploratory operation on Friday to check his progress.

"We still don't know when he can leave the intensive-care ward," Schaffartzik added.

Zanardi's legs were amputated halfway up his thighs following the crash Saturday at the American Memorial 500, CART's first race in Europe.

Doctors cautioned that Zanardi still has to deal with his condition since he was unconscious following the crash and didn't know he lost his legs.

But CART official Mike Zizzo said Zanardi, upon regaining his speech, first spoke to his wife and expressed gratitude the crash hadn't cost him his life.

"He found out today what his situation is and he was very thankful to be alive and to be with his wife and son," said Zizzo, the circuit's vice president of competition and public relations.

Zanardi lost control of his Honda Reynard when he emerged from a pit stop, spun backward and was hit by Canada's Alex Tagliani at 200 mph in a horrific crash that stunned even CART veterans.

Tagliani's Ford ripped through Zanardi's nearly stationary car and sheared it in half, with the explosion hurling the red nosecone into the air.

Zanardi also sustained a small pelvis fracture and concussion in the crash but escaped internal or head injuries.

Schaffartzik said Zanardi might be able to walk again, and doctors have begun to think about fitting him with artificial legs, although there is no timeline.

"It depends on how his wounds heal, but these days, the prosthetic limbs are quite good," Schaffartzik said.

Zanardi was airlifted to the Berlin trauma center following the crash. Family, friends, drivers and CART officials mounted a vigil for the next two days as it appeared the driver's life hung in the balance.

Among the two dozen people at the hospital were Zanardi's wife, and his closest driver friends -- Johnny Herbert, Jimmy Vasser, Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti -- and actress Ashley Judd.

Tagliani joined the vigil after being released Sunday with minor back injuries.

The Canadian driver said he can't forget the crash, and that the only thing that will make him happy is seeing Zanardi walk with artificial legs.