Horror smash leaves Kubica facing year lay-off

Formula One driver Robert Kubica spent last night in an induced coma and is facing a year out of the sport after suffering horrific injuries in a high-speed rallying accident in Italy yesterday.

The 26-year-old Pole suffered serious injuries to his right hand, arm and leg in a accident on the Ronde di Andora Rally.

Kubica, who drives for the Lotus Renault F1 team, was airlifted to Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure after colliding with a wall at high speed while competing in a Super 2000 Skoda Fabia.

Initial reports suggested Kubica was in danger of losing his hand, which was partially severed in the accident, although those fears were later played down.

However, Professor Mario Igor Rossello, a specialist surgeon involved in the seven-and-a-half-hour operation to reconstruct Kubica’s hand, warned last night that it was too early to accurately assess the long-term implications of his injuries.

Rossello told reporters he was “moderately satisfied” with the operation to rebuild the hand, but said that it would be several days before doctors could determine whether the hand would be “able to return to full function”.

He added: “The danger is, in five-seven days you can have vascular problems, and we could do surgery again to solve these problems.”

When asked what the best prognosis for recovery would be, Rossello replied: “One year. One year is the best provision.”

A statement from Lotus Renault F1 last night confirmed he had suffered “multiple fractures to his right arm and leg”, adding: “He also suffered severe cuts to his forearm, which could have an impact on his right hand mobility.

“Doctors are reasonably satisfied with the way the operation went. Tonight, Robert’s condition remains stable but serious. He has been placed into an induced coma and could be woken up in the morning.”

The team’s principal and managing director, Eric Boullier, said: “The news of Robert’s accident came as a real shock to the whole team. All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery.

“We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him today and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication.

“I will be travelling to Italy tomorrow, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return.”

The team revealed another update will be made this morning at 9.30am local time at the hospital, by Rossello and Kubica’s manager Daniel Morelli.

Kubica’s accident prompted a flood of messages on Twitter, with many of his fellow drivers keen to offer their support.