F1 driver Robert Kubica was sadly involved in a horrific crash. theKubica was driving a Skoda Fabia in the Super2000 category of the Rally Ronde di Andora when his car left the road at high speed and crashed into a wall. His co-driver, Jacub Gerber, emerged from the wreck unhurt but Kubica remained inside.

The Pole was seriously injured in a rally crash on Sunday and is reported to have leg, hand and internal injuries.

According to sources at the event, Kubica was trapped in the car for more than one hour until specialist extraction equipment could get to the scene of the crash.

Prof Igor Rossello, who operated on Kubica at the Santa Corona hospital, said the lengthy operation involved the "reconstruction [of] the whole anatomy of the forearm". He continued that while the operation on Kubica's badly-damaged hand had gone well, the next five to seven days were crucial as it was in that period that things could still go wrong.

When pressed, Rossello said it would be a year before Kubica can hope to have proper use of his right arm again, although he added "drivers are always very special patients".

Earlier, comments from his agent, Daniele Morelli, had raised worries that his career was in the balance. He said that surgeons were "trying to restore the functions of his right hand," adding: "They have already revascularised the limb and repaired the bone structure. Now they have to think about the muscular functions but Robert has strong character and he will make it."

If the operation is unsuccessful or only partially works, then he may be left with limited functionality and feeling in his hand. At a time drivers are being asked to press more and more buttons on the steering wheel, this would be very serious.


YouTube - Robert Kubica car crash at Andora Rally 2/6/11

YouTube - Camera car Rally Andora 2011 (Moreno - Bonato) Primi Soccorsi incidente Kubica - www.cameracar.org

[ATTACH=CONFIG]147214[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]147215[/ATTACH]

 

Very sad... but I'm always impressed that guys survive some of these crashes at all. Let's be thankful for that.

 

What a freaky way to hit a rail! He is lucky to be alive.

 

Can't believe there is nothing in his contract preventing him from doing stuff like this so close to the start of the season. I bet this wouldn't have happened if there wasn't a testing ban in F1. Good job Bernie.

 

Ain't that the f'ing truth! It's crazy seeing the car harpooned by that guardrail... makes me nauseous.

 

I agree. I had to look at the two pics a couple times to see it went through the car.. Yuk.

 

oddly enough it's usually the co-driver that gets hurt in rally crashes... Well if you ever want to see the most fearless drivers on the planet look at a rally event.. Monte Carlo is my favorite with 4-500 foot sheer cliffs as a driver you know if you mess up there it's over. no cage in the world will save you from that fall.

 

Unbelievably, drive and co-driver walked away from this: YouTube - rally car crashes off cliff