F1: Surgeons Working To Repair Kubica’s Right Hand

Formula 1

F1: Surgeons Working To Repair Kubica’s Right Hand

Robert Kubica was injured in a crash during a rally in Italy...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted February 06, 2011 Balen (BEL)

The wrecked car of Formula One driver Robert Kubica of Poland is towed in Andorra on February 6 2011 following his serious accident in Testico, Northern Italy, on February 6, 2011 while participating in the Ronde di Andora Rally. (Photo: Getty Images)

Robert Kubica is still undergoing surgery in Italy, and while his right hand has been saved, it is not clear what lasting damage the Pole might have.

Kubica is in the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure, where his treatment is being overseen by Dr Riccardo Ceccarelli, the doctor of the Lotus Renault GP team.

Also involved is Professor Mario Igor Rossello, a locally based specialist.

In fact it seems that Kubica may have had some good fortune, because Rossello, the Director of the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at the Hospital Sao Paolo in Savona, is apparently a world renowned expert in the field.

Kubica’s manager Daniele Morelli says it’s too soon to speculate upon the process of recovery.

“Unfortunately the impact with the guardrail caused serious harm,” Morelli told the Italian media outside the hospital. “He has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his leg and right arm, especially complications related to his right hand. We shall see later if the operation was successful. The clinical picture is not easy. We expect to make the necessary assessments tonight.”

“The surgeons are trying to restore the functionality of his right hand. We must now think about the muscle function, but Robert has a very strong temper and will succeed.

“The important thing is that Robert recoveries, as it has already proven to do with the incident in Canada. On that occasion it took him three months to get back on track.”

Kubica’s co-driver Jakub Gerber, who escaped unharmed, has been quoted as saying: “(He) was conscious, then fainted and woke up a couple of times, without having full knowledge of what has happened.”

Reports suggest that the road surface was damp at the time of the accident, and it’s now clear that Kubica’s injuries were caused by the Skoda hitting the end of a barrier, which penetrated the footwell of the car.

Adam Cooper notched up his 26th season as a racing journalist in 2010. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’10. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Check out Adam's Blog or follow him on Twitter.