Following his horrific-looking accident in yesterday's Austrian Grand Prix comes the good news that Takuma Sato has been discharged from hospital.

The Japanese driver was involved in the heavy collision when Nick Heidfeld lost control of his Sauber and spun across the grass into the side of Sato's Jordan.

The 25-year-old spent some time trapped in the crushed remains of his car, but was eventually freed and taken to hospital where it was discovered he had a miraculous escape.

It was previously reported that he had some internal bleeding but this has proved to be incorrect and his only, very minor, injury is some soreness in his legs.

This morning (Monday) after further checks the doctors at Graz University Hospital allowed the Japanese to go home, and team boss Eddie Jordan sent his own plane to pick the driver up from Graz airport around lunchtime.

He exclusively told formula1.com how he felt and what he could remember of the crash: "I feel really fine today, there is still pain in the right thigh - but it is just OK and just a bit sore at the moment.

"I would like to take part in the Monte Carlo classic race (19th May), but I have to see. I think I should be OK for Monaco (the Grand Prix on 26th May). We did some scanning of my head and abdomen and everything seems to be ok - yes I have some brain!"

Talking about his memories of the aftermath of the accident, he revealed: "After, when I realised (I was trapped), I looked down and I couldn't find my legs. All I could see was this big hole with the gearbox coming in and then I realised my legs were to the left-hand side of the monocoque.

"I was trying to ask people to get me out as I was trapped, and I was conscious all the time that is why I felt the pain. As I was waving I was trembling, I was trembling because I was getting numb, but I was trying to get some people to get me out. I am just extremely lucky."

Strict FIA regulations as to the construction of modern-day monocoques and the solid structure of his Jordan EJ12 is believed to have saved him from more serious injury.

He is expected to race in the Monaco GP, and his team will announce tomorrow if he will be fit to take part in Grand Prix de Monaco Historique