Renault Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica will now surely miss the start of the new season following a mammoth crash at the Ronde di Andora Rally today.
The Pole wiped out the front of his Super 2000 Skoda Fabia and a crash barrier in a high-speed accident on the opening 4.6 km stage, causing multiple fractures in his right arm, leg and hand in the process. Kubica has since been airlifted to hospital to undergo surgery.
Footage of the wreckage showed much of the front of the car torn away, which has led to thoughts that the barrier may have penetrated the machine.
A press conference to reveal more details of Kubica’s condition is to be held later this evening – until then, all reports about the exact nature of his injuries are pure speculation.
Kubica is certainly not the first driver to get injured while partaking in events outside of Formula 1 – in November 2008, Mark Webber was hit by a 4×4 while competing in his Tasmanian Challenge cycling tour.
Trying out other formulae, sports and events was the norm until the late 70’s and it was a option that was essentially disregarded following the death of rising German Formula 1 star Stefan Bellof in a sportscar race at Spa-Francorchamps in 1985.
In the short term, Renault’s main reserve driver is former-Hispania driver Bruno Senna, although it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Renault may opt for a more experienced hand to lead the team.
My thoughts and prayers are with Robert and his family, here’s hoping that there’s good news about his prospects later tonight when the hospital release a statement.