ART Grand Prix has yet to decide if injured Michael Ammermuller is fit enough to race next weekend in Spain.

Michael Ammermuller's performance in the second race in Bahrain last month has come under a new light this week, after it was revealed the German had taken part in the 120km contest nursing a broken wrist.

The injury, which Michael is believed to have picked up when his ART Grand Prix car and Kazuki Nakajima's Dams made contact in Race 1, was sufficient to merit the wearing of a brace on the day, but closer inspection on his return to Europe revealed that he had broken the scaphoid bone in his wrist.

Dr Andreas Priol, a wrist surgery specialist, operated on Michael in Salzberg, Austria, on Friday April 20th, and admitted that under normal conditions the injury would take a long time to heal.

"The healing of a fracture like that is difficult and can last up to 12 weeks," he told the German's website. "To avoid a protracted treatment with a cast, however, the scaphoid bone will be fixed with a 'Herbert screw': a special titanium screw which compresses the bone fragments."

The operation went without a hitch.

"We had no complications," confirms Priol. "The operation went absolutely according to plan. The hand was swollen immediately after the operation but is now OK again."

Since the operation, Michael has undergone special training to make his wrist flexible again, and to train the forearm muscles.

"Michael is a pro and a fighter," enthused Priol, who also confirmed that Michael has been continuing his regular training in preparation for the second round of the GP2 Series next weekend in Spain.

Although the normal period of recovery is 12 weeks, the use of the Herbert Screw has reduced that healing period significantly. That said, neither ART Grand Prix nor Michael and his doctors will be willing to rush the driver of the #1 car back to action too early.

The team was due to make a final decision over his fitness to race yesterday (Friday), well before a final X-Ray is due to be taken on Thursday May 10th to determine whether the operation has indeed been successful.