Robert Kubica suffers multiple fractures in rally crash
Just five weeks before the start of the new Formula One season, Robert Kubica of Renault, was involved in a serious crash in Italy. The Polish driver suffered fractures in his right arm and his leg. Kubica is reported to have undergone surgery following
the crash.
The 26-year-old lost control during the start of the Ronde di Andora rally and crashed head on into a church wall. Kubica was just four and a half kilometers in to the race when his Skoda Fabia lost control and crashed into a wall. Jakub Gerber, his co driver,
was not hurt in the accident and came out of the accident walking. Kubbica was immediately taken to the hospital via helicopter. Kubica is certain to miss the start of the Formula One season for Renault, which begins on March 13th in Bahrain.
The injuries suffered by Kubica are not believed to be life threatening but are serious. The driver has titanium bolts fitted in to his arm from a crash back in 2003. There are now doubts over the possibility of him being able to continue his career as an
F1 driver.
Kubica’s manager, Daniele Morelli, told reporters at the hospital, "Surgeons are trying to re-establish the functionality of his right hand." He added: "Robert is very strong and he will do it."
There was also a statement released by his Renault team earlier on Sunday: "After undergoing extensive medical checks this morning, Robert Kubica has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand”.
Robert Kubica was looking to get a sharp start to the grueling F1 season and was taking part in the rally to warm up for the season. The former BMW Sauber driver has been competing in rallies on a regular basis to stay focused when the season is off. The
accident took place a week after he successfully tested the new Renault car at Valencia.
Kubica was expected to be the lead driver for Renault in the 2011 season, alongside his partner, Vitaly Petrov of Russia. Petrov has just signed a new contract with the team that will keep him at Renault till 2012 season.
Bruno Senna, the son of legendary Ayrton Senna, is the backup driver for the team. Senna raced for Hispania last season but has moved to the British Renault team after a disappointing season. Renault’s second back up is the French driver, Romain Grosjean.
The Frenchman drove for the team as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009. The next test ahead of the start of the season would take place on Thursday at Jerez and the team is likely to call upon either of the two.
Kubica did well in the previous F1 season and he ended up in eighth place. He managed to finish second in the Melbourne Grand Prix and third in Monaco and Belgium. Kubica was also involved in a crash in F1 back in 2007. It was the Canadian Grand Prix where
his car smashed into the side wall. He was not badly hurt but did not take part in the next race. It was also at the Montreal Circuit in Canada where he got his first F1 win.
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