EXCLUSIVE! Former Formula One grand prix winner Olivier Panis has said he is not concerned by Stephane Ortelli's spectacular crash in the Courage he will race for Team Oreca in 24 Hour Le Mans.

He has also revealed that Frenchman Ortelli will be fit for the world-famous endurance event on June 14 and 15, despite suffering a broken ankle.

Ortelli's Courage flew across the first chicane at Monza in the second round of the Le Mans Series, narrowly missing Allan McNish's Audi in mid-air and barrel rolling over the gravel and into the barrier.

"I'm not worried by Stephane's crash," he told Eurosport at the A1 Grand Prix event at Brands Hatch, where he is sporting director with Team France.

"Motor racing is dangerous anyway - even when you drive on normal roads, it is dangerous.

"I was scared for Stephane, but not for myself. It's risky - but we all know that when we agree to do it.

"It was a big shock to see the car fly like that, but the team know what happened - it was a problem with the rear wing flaps. He was very unlucky - and then he was very lucky not to be seriously hurt."

He has also revealed that Ortelli should be fit to take the wheel for his stints during the 24 Hour race

"He is okay: he doesn't need an operation," he told Autosport. "He has two or three quite small fractures, but all the ligaments are okay.

"He needs to remain in plaster for two weeks before he starts physio. I think he will be ready for Le Mans pre-qualifying."

Panis suffered a serious injury himself in Canada, suffering a freak spin into a concrete barrier. He added that although motor racing will always be dangerous, conditions are much safer for drivers today.

"Things are much better than they used to be," he told Eurosport. "In 1997 I broke both of my legs but that rarely happens now - look at what happened with Kovalainen in Barcelona.

"The new circuits like China and Bahrain are made a lot safer too. I think that the way things are now are fine."

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport