The one-time grand prix winner crashed while cycling at Mugello last Thursday and “destroyed” his heel.
Initial x-ray scans showed no fractures, though his foot did suffer from a lot of swelling.
Undergoing an MRI on Monday after the Italian GP – in which he finished sixth – it was found he had in fact suffered two fractures in his foot.
“So, the foot… it was good in Mugello because the first x-ray showed I had nothing, but I had a lot, a lot of pain during the weekend – probably the most painful ride I ever had in my career,” he said on Thursday ahead of the German GP.
“On Monday I did an MRI and [it found] I had two fractures, a big oedema [build-up of fluid] and the ligaments [are damaged] as well.
“The injury is quite high, quite bad. But it was normal.
“On Monday the foot was super big, I had a lot of pain. So, during these three days I did what I could.
“They [doctors] recommended to wear this [splint] boot, to not to walk, to not put the foot on the ground.
“Hopefully I will have less pain than Mugello due to the layout of Sachsenring.”
Source: Autosport