Not sure if this info has been posted yet. Here is the latest on Robert Kubica's injuries http://bit.ly/hXrIzN
I only meant other motorsports guys nothing more and I realize other off-season injuries could can and do occure. I'm gonna miss him on the starting grid.
Wow, this is horrible news, my wished to Robert for a speedy, full recovery. Renault has a month to decide what to do for the race season, but in fact they need to decide this week. If Robert could be back by April or May, then Senna might substitute for a bit - but as said, he's no Senna (Ayrton), and no team leader. Heidfeld might be OK, good for testing and steady - but remember that back when Heidfeld was still "Quick Nick" at BMW Sauber, they brought in Robert as a rookie to replace Villeneuve and Robert was immediately out-performing Heidfeld. The right rookie could be a wise choice for Renault, but they would have to temper their goals for the year. I believe Hulkenberg might be the best option, as he is current like Senna, but unlike Bruno Hulkenberg is actually quick. Second best choice after the Hulk might be Liuzzi - I still think he has amazing natural ability, and could yet be a star. Regarding the question why Robert was rally racing - he's a genuine racer and competitor, that's part of what makes him a great F1 driver. Remember, one of the all-time greatest F1 drivers ever, Jim Clark, was killed in a Formula 2 race. Clark raced touring cars, F2, Indy, all mixed in through the F1 season. Jackie Stewart used to run the full Can-Am series along with F1, as did several other drivers. I know the F1 season these days is too busy for that sort of mixed activity, but I'd bet that if you reined in all the extra-curricular competitive activities, you'd dull their limits of performance in F1 too.
Holy Cow! Unbelievable news! I really hope Ice Kube recovers...amputation of the hand? I hope this thing has just been blown out of proportion. I rather see Kubica not take part in this season's F1, or even retire, rather than losing a hand. All the best to him. My prayers will be for him today.
Per Autosport: Robert Kubica looks set to miss the start of the new Formula 1 season after suffering multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand in a crash on the Ronde di Andora rally on Sunday. The Polish driver was airlifted to hospital on Sunday morning following a high-speed crash that took place 4.6 kilometres into the opening stage of the event, on a stage near the village of Testico in Italy. Kubica is understood to have swiped a wall and hit a crash barrier in a Super 2000 Skoda Fabia on the first stage of the rally - which he was competing in shortly after completing the first week of pre-season F1 testing with Renault at Valencia. 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. There are unconfirmed reports that Kubica's injuries were caused by the end of a crash barrier penetrating the footwell of the car - which would explain why his injuries were on his right hand side rather than by the door. According to a statement issued by Kubica's Renault team, he has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand. After being transferred to the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure, Kubica underwent surgery on Sunday afternoon for the injuries he suffered - with doctors believed to be focusing their efforts on his injured hand and, in particular, its blood supply. An update from the hospital in the afternoon said that the operation on Kubica would continue until Sunday evening. And although amputation of the hand had been ruled out, it was too early to give a prognosis on how well the hand would recover from the injuries it suffered. It was also confirmed that Kubica was out of immediate danger, and there was no threat to his life. His co-driver Jakub Gerber was not hurt. Kubica's injuries look almost certain to prevent him starting the season for Renault, with the first race of the campaign due to take place in Bahrain on March 13. Renault will likely call on reserve driver Bruno Senna to fill in in the short term, but the team could opt for a more experienced driver if Kubica faces a more lengthy lay-off.
Sorry to hear. I am surprised drivers with these huge contracts are allowed to do these things in their off time. I too would love to see Kimi come back, but as said, he has committed himself to a bunch of rallies. I miss seeing him drive....
Terrible news for such a young and upcoming driver with plenty of potential. From what has been reported so far, I would guess that he is most likely to at least miss the entire 2011 season. I sincerely hope to see him return to F1 in the future. This reminds me of what had happen to Alessandro Nannini who was involved in a helicopter accident. Not to build on someone's misfortune, but as a F1 fan, I will like to see Bruno Senna make it in F1 and I hope that he can ceases this opportunity and make the most of it.
Agree with you re Nico, the obvious candidate, imho. First time to Interlagos and qualies P1 ? Regardless of the circumstances, potential in spades. Would Renault need to buy him out from Vijay (or rent him until RK hopefully returns), or is it standard issue for drivers to have an escape clause providing another team offers a valid ride?
I'm happy his hand hasn't been amputated, now we wait and see what happens with regards to his career.
Racing's a dangerous sport, and even with all the modern safety devices and improvements, it bears reminding that things like this can, and do, happen. Sorry for his injuries. Hopefully, with extensive rehabilitation, let's hope he can come back. Even if he cannot, let's hope he can keep the hand. CW
If I were Renault, with the kind of monies involved, I would absolutely want some sort of penalty clause in the drivers contract for getting injured and having to sit out most of a season, especially a top ranked driver who could (potentially) bring a championship. let alone points that bring an income to the team. Sure racers will be racers, but they do have a responsability to the teams they are contracted with. With a move such as this, the season is basically a lost year. The learning curve ( new car, new team, new procedures, new rules, etc..), even for a "fast" rookie, this late in the pre-season is astronomically high or near impossible to produce a podium, let alone valuable points. IMHO Kubica was being irresponsible. even tho a good and motivated driver he is acknowledged to be... What makes a great driver is good judgement, what makes an also ran is lack of good judgement. Sorry Bobby.... I was hoping to see great thngs from you this year as you "were" one of my favorites. I wish you a speedy and full recovery and the wisdom from a lesson learned. JD
Let's be quite clear, I would be certain that Robert was participating in that rally with Renault GP's full knowledge and consent. I would not doubt in the slightest that Robert insisted as part of his contract with Renault GP that he be permitted to participate in certain rally events. Mallya has a problem with drivers, in that he signed Hulkenberg to drive with Sutil, but still has Liuzzi with a firm contract to drive for 2012. It isn't known if Liuzzi is being paid out, but some like Joe Saward suggest that Mallya is going to have to buy a seat at HRT for Liuzzi to avoid breach of contract penalties. Kubica's terrible accident does give Mallya an opportunity to resolve his dillemma by placing either Hulkenberg or Liuzzi at Renault.
From motorsport aktuell: "Die Ärzte versuchen, die Funktionalität der rechten Hand wiederherzustellen. Sie haben die Blutzirkulation wiederhergestellt und die Knochenstruktur repariert. Nun geht es um die Funktionalität der Muskulatur. Robert ist sehr stark und wird das durchstehen", sagte Daniele Morelli auf einer improvisierten Pressekonferenz vor dem Krankenhaus Santa Corona in Pietra Ligure. "The doctors are trying to re-establish the functionality of the right hand. They have re-established the blood circulation and repaired the structure of the bones. Now it is about the functionality of the muscles. Robert is very strong and will make it throug this" said Daniele Morelli on an improvised press conference in front of the hospital Santa Corona in Pietra Ligure. This sounds somewhat more promising.
Hulkenberg is the Force India reserve driver. Paul di Resta is driving with Sutil. I doubt Renault would pursue Hulkenberg. He's talented but just as inexperienced as their reserve drivers and not worth getting him out of that contract. If they don't use one of the reserve drivers, it'll (should anyway) be for someone like Nick Heidfeld. Especially at this point in the season they need someone who can give solid feedback to make testing productive.
Gordon, your earlier post regarding Bruno and Hulkenberg was excellent, one of the best Posts in a long time. Especially the part about J. Clark.
Here's to a speedy and full recovery for Robert. As for Bruno Senna, how can you say he's slow and Hulkenberg is fast? Nico Hulkenber obviously had a faster car while Senna was stuck in that POS HRT. I'm not saying he's like his uncle, but give the kid a break, lets see what he can do first before you judge him.
Pro sports teams do it all the time. They put restrictions on what you can and can't do, and it's perfectly reasonable to do so.
