The operation lasted five hours, Zanardi is still in serious condition

Former Italian Formula 1 driver and Paralympian Alex Zanardi (53) underwent a five-hour facial reconstruction operation on Monday following an accident he suffered while riding a hand bike on June 19.

Zanardi hit a truck on a road in Tuscany while riding a hand bike and suffered serious head injuries, and today's operation is already the third since the accident.

Facial reconstruction was performed at a hospital in Siena, and the operation required three-dimensional digital technology custom-made for Zanardi, whose neurological condition is still serious.

Zanardi had both legs amputated after an accident at a race in Germany in 2001.

He went on to become a four-time Paralympic champion, with two Paralympic silver medals and 12 world para-cycling titles.