Robert Kubica out with injury

[E90SLAM]

Great News!! Hope to see him back in the F1 cockpit soon!!!

http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/68...leave-hospital

Robert Kubica could be discharged from hospital before Easter, according to a report.

The Renault driver was admitted to Santa Corona hospital in Liguria, Italy, on February 6 after he was seriously injured in a rally crash. He went under the knife four times for surgery on his damaged hand, foot, elbow and shoulder. His first operation to repair an almost completely severed right hand lasted seven hours.

Polish news agency PAP reports that hospital spokesperson Roberto Carrozzino confirmed that the Polish driver could be returning home in the next few days as the risk of infection has now passed.

The 26-year-old is currently undergoing rehabilitation is using a "walker" to move around.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Great News!! Hope to see him back in the F1 cockpit soon!!!

http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/68...leave-hospital

It will probably be a year before he drives again.

[KingOfJericho]

I don't think he'll go from a walker to an F1 cockpit this season but I REALLY hope to see him back next year!

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I don't think he'll go from a walker to an F1 cockpit this season but I REALLY hope to see him back next year!

Definitely, but good to hear is getting better!
Its going to be an uphill battle and a long process for his rehab....but I'm confident he will be back in F1!!!

p.s. I'm not saying he will be back this year...my guess will be 2013 season, while spending 2012 in reserve role if physically possible.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

Definitely, but good to hear is getting better!
Its going to be an uphill battle and a long process for his rehab....but I'm confident he will be back in F1!!!

p.s. I'm not saying he will be back this year...my guess will be 2013 season, while spending 2012 in reserve role if physically possible.

Definitely makes sense. He's always been my favorite personality on the grid.

[KANdaddy]

Great news!

[elp_jc]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I don't think he'll go from a walker to an F1 cockpit this season but I REALLY hope to see him back next year!

I doubt next year either, at least as a principal driver. It'd be a miracle if he recovers enough to be a competitive F1 driver again, which would require 100% recovery IMO. But if I was him, I'd settle for being able to live a normal life, which is rare after an accident of that magnitude. So yes, hope that miracle happens, but chances are pretty slim. Glad to hear he's getting out though; can't imagine what's like to be in a freaking hospital that long. Good day gang.

[escobar929]

awesome news!

I too wish he could be back for next season but its way to early to know whats gonna happened. Like everyone has said, 2013 is a much more realistic come back as a primary driver

but even if he comes back as a tester next year, that alone will be pretty miraculous and will really help the Lotus team, just by having him around

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by escobar929

awesome news!

I too wish he could be back for next season but its way to early to know whats gonna happened. Like everyone has said, 2013 is a much more realistic come back as a primary driver

but even if he comes back as a tester next year, that alone will be pretty miraculous and will really help the Lotus team, just by having him around

If if he can get back into racing next season, it will take a while for him to get competitive again. But I'm not him, can't tell mentally how ready he is.

btw, I will still call it Renault instead of Lotus Renault....

[E90SLAM]

Update on his rehab...looking good...

The Pole underwent the first of several small operations to "remove the unavoidable adhesions that are affecting the functionality of his forearm and elbow muscles" on Tuesday and his recovery is "entering the second phase, which is heavy rehabilitation aimed to restore functionality".

Team boss Boullier visited Kubica in Italy after the Turkish Grand Prix and only had positive news to share.

"Robert has made another step forward in his rehabilitation process and doctors are pleasantly surprised by the way in which his condition is improving," Boullier is quoted in the Renault website.

"Now, it is a matter of time and even if patience isn't Robert's first quality, he is fully aware that rehabilitation could be quite a long process."

Despite spending nearly three months on the sidelines following his accident, the 26-year-old is being kept up-to-date with the ins and outs at the Enstone-based team.

"We spoke about the latest developments of the car and of the team, and he was also interested to hear more on the details of the R31, tyres and strategies," Boullier added.

"Robert is still very much involved, keeping in touch with his engineers, and we have been keeping him informed of every important decision the team has taken. He may not be with us all of the time this year, but he's very much a part of the Lotus Renault GP family."

http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/69...-step-forward-

[gary88]

Good to hear.

[E90SLAM]

Now Robert is back on his feet and recovering!!!

http://forum.planet-f1.com/index.php...90302&start=0&

[nmulax]

That's great news!
Regardless of when (if) he races again - he's making progress towards a full recovery

[KANdaddy]

[gary88]

Kubica's doctor says it looks like he'll be able to return to F1 in 2012

http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsp...ml?CMP=OTC-RSS

The doctor in charge of Robert Kubica's rehabilitation says it is a "certainty" that he will return to Formula One in 2012.

Kubica's recovery has been the centre of much attention since his final operation, and the scrutiny was increased when Renault team principal Eric Boullier set a deadline of mid-October for confirmation of his driver line-up for next season. Dr Riccardo Ceccarelli said that he still couldn't put a firm date on Kubica's return, but that it would allow him to resume racing.

"I would say with certainty that Robert will be a F1 driver in 2012," Ceccarelli told Omnicorse. "I cannot say when he will be ready but it will be between the months of November and January."

Ceccarelli also said that the functionality of Kubica's right hand is no longer a concern.

"Yes, it's great, even if this healing is gradual. Not forgetting that Robert suffered injuries to two of the three nerves, and had severs of the tendons and muscles, the feeling has come back to the fingertips."

Kubica has yet to drive as part of his recovery, which Ceccarelli said was the result of giving his leg more stability while other injuries healed, but that he would soon be able to begin building up muscle again.

"It is true, Robert still has an external fixator on his leg and we have not rushed to remove it - the longer the better, and the better result. So as we wait for the healing of the hand and the elbow, there is still no hurry... The muscles have been inactive for months and so need to recover tone and strength. But the big question - if he can drive in formula one again - has gone."

Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli said that Boullier's deadline may be difficult to meet, but that he too was "certain" Kubica would be able to return.

"We are not able to predict a precise date (for Kubica's return) because it is nature taking its course," Morelli said. "But we are optimistic, very optimistic, and I do not think a delay of a couple of weeks can affect the plans. One thing is certain - he is coming back. The only problem now is muscular."

[gary88]

Getting closer, he's already driving a road car

http://formulaoneupdate.wordpress.co...riving-again/?

There have been some, honestly, confusing reports lately about the condition of Polish F1 driver Robert Kubica´s recovery and the long road back to a race seat.

Yesterday I reported that Kubica were several months away from getting back behind the wheel of a car again, when Dr Riccardo ceccarelli said that there are rigorous tests still needed to be carried out, in order to assure that Kubica is strong enough to compete. However, today the surgeon who operated on Kubica´s hand and elbow, Igor Rosello, says that Kubica ‘has recovered; he can move and lift with all his fingers.’

In fact, the progress of the rehabilitation has happened much faster than anyone expected, said Rosello, and Kubica is fact already driving a road car.

“We can now think about getting him back as soon as possible into a car. Sorry, into a racing car, because he is already in a (road) car. His recovery is a miracle but the unknown thing is whether he will be able to be as fast. We still have to do a small intervention for improving the mobility of his wrist, as with this type of accident the hand is never as flexible as it was before. Then it will take a lot of exercise.”

Only last week, Renault team principal reiterated that he would wait for as long as he could before making a decision on Kubica, this deadline is believed to be mid-November, and if both Rosello and Ceccarelli gives the thumbs-up soon, Kubica might be well on his way back to F1.

“But he will be able to drive his formula one car again and press all the buttons — we’re talking about a racing driver, not a pianist,” added Rossello. “I look at him and I can’t stop wondering how well it has all gone; all the breaks and the wounds have healed, the only question is whether he will drive as he did before.

“He will have some limitations; remember that we considered amputation. But that (whether he is fast enough) will be assessed by the (F1) specialists. We have done our job perfectly.”

[BrokenVert]

Awesome news!

[escobar929]

great news, cant wait to have him back!

[EINSER M]

what is the big hurry with kubica coming back. let him rest another year and come back strong.

[Itgb]

Originally Posted by kirkx5m

what is the big hurry with kubica coming back. let him rest another year and come back strong.

It's a big deal because if he doesn't come back in 2012, I would bet his F1 career is over. Nobody is going to want a driver that has been gone that long and lost his edge. Just like his doctor said, it's one thing to gain back mobility and drive a normal car. It's entirely different to gain back the fast twitch muscle control and speed to drive an F1 car at the limit. I really hope he makes it back, but I'm not holding my breath.

[UltimateBMW]

Bad news everyone.

He has decided not to drive in 2012. He just isn't ready for it yet.
http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/73...Of-2012-Season

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

Bad news everyone.

He has decided not to drive in 2012. He just isn't ready for it yet.
http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/73...Of-2012-Season

I'm not surprised.
I'd expect him to test drive 2009/2010 F1 cars sometime next year to get in shape.