Kubica's injuries 'very severe'

UPDATE #8 As opposed to earlier reports, Kubica's Skoda Fabia S2000 did not crash into a church wall, but into a metal guardrail when the 26-year old Pole was on his way to the start of the Ronde di Andorin rally in Italy. The crash occurred in one of the hairpins in the region of Testico in the Andorran hills. Apparently, a tree root that had raised a part of the asphalt was the reason why Kubica lost control of his car, his Skoda lost grip, turned 80 degrees and hit the sharp end of the guardrail very hard, which in turn pierced right through the engine compartment and into the cockpit.

When the guardrail entered the cockpit of the car it broke his right leg, arm, hand and caused other internal injuries. He is lucky it did not pierce his body cavity, which would have killed him in the most inhumane ways possible. According to Italian reports, fire fighters had to remove the engine from the car to free Kubica.

02/06/11 Robert Kubica's agent believes the Polish Formula One driver will make a full recovery from serious injuries suffered in a crash in the Ronde di Andora Rally today. The condition of Kubica's right hand has caused most concern, but the driver's agent, Daniele Morelli, speaking to reporters outside the hospital, sounded optimistic.

"The surgeons are trying to restore the functions of his right hand," he said. "They have already revascularized 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."

02/06/11 Lotus Renault GP number one driver Robert Kubica is no longer at risk of having his hand amputated, Daniel Morelli, his manager, confirmed in a press conference this afternoon. Kubica suffered serious injuries this morning following a high-speed crash on the Ronde di Andora Rally in Italy.

While the news with regard to his hand is good though, it remains unclear whether or not the Pole will recover complete functionality with it. He was taken into the operating theatre around 9:00 AM Eastern Time. Igor Rossello is the doctor in charge. It is thought he should come out of surgery around 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

02/06/11 (GMM) Robert Kubica is undergoing surgery in Italy, it has emerged. The Pole was seriously injured in a rally crash on Sunday and is reported to have leg, hand and internal injuries. His F1 team, Lotus-sponsored Renault, confirmed that Kubica has "multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand".

Renault also confirmed that surgery is currently underway. And the ANSA news agency said Igor Rossello, a hand specialist, will perform the surgery on one of the Renault F1 driver's hands. A detailed medical bulletin has therefore been delayed.

"All assessments have yet to be made," said official Roberto Carrozzino. "An amputation is not a decision that is made so rapidly. I do not confirm or deny this report."

Photographs of the crashed car show severe frontal damage, and French sports channel Eurosport said the 26-year-old may also be suffering a damaged hip and multiple other injuries. Renault's reserve drivers are Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean.

02/06/11 This video shows the guiderail that supposedly pierced the driver cockpit coming in right through the front of the car.

02/06/11

Kubica's Rally Car

Polish websites are saying it will be a miracle if Kubica can ever race again. This may be an over-reaction, unless the rumors that his had may require amputation are true. We pray not.

02/06/11 (GMM) Robert Kubica has "very severe injuries", a figure close to the Renault driver revealed on Sunday.

As the motor racing world awaits official information about the Pole's condition after a high speed rally crash, Stephane Samson – referred to as a 'consultant' to Kubica by the German news agency SID – shed some light on his injuries.

"All we know is that Robert's life is not in danger," Samson said. "However, he has very severe injuries to his left hand and left leg, but we don't know anything more about it."

It was earlier rumored that the 26-year-old, reportedly in a serious condition, has internal injuries, a broken femur, and a badly crushed hand that surgeons are considering amputating.

A detailed medical bulletin is expected shortly.

02/06/11 More photos and video of Kubica's accident.

02/06/11 (GMM) Robert Kubica has been seriously injured in a rally crash in Italy, according to multiple media sources on Sunday.

The Pole was driving a Skoda Fabia in the Ronde di Andora rally near Genoa when he left the road at high speed and hit a church wall with the driver's side.

26-year-old Kubica, who drives in F1 for Renault, had to be cut from the car and helicoptered to hospital while his co-driver escaped unhurt.

Initially, reports said Kubica had unspecified injuries but was conscious, amid expectations a detailed medical bulletin and press statement will be issued shortly.

The first official statement was distributed by Renault, confirming only that Kubica is in the Pietra Ligure hospital.

"Lotus Renault GP will issue another statement as soon as more information is known about Robert's condition," it read.

Media reports said he has multiple trauma injuries, with some claiming he has broken his femur, the largest bone in the leg, and that the rally event has been called off.

A report by the German news agency SID said Kubica's hand or wrist is the most badly injured, with surgeons reportedly considering amputation.

The report said he is also injured internally, but Kubica's father has been quoted in Polish reports as insisting his son's life is not in danger.