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View Full Version : Renault driver Robert Kubica wakes after major surgery



redred
02-07-2011, 12:52 PM
Renault driver Robert Kubica has regained consciousness as he begins his recovery following seven-hour surgery.
The 26-year-old's right hand was partially severed and he suffered arm and leg fractures when he crashed during a rally in Italy on Sunday.
"The doctors have said he has taken important steps forward," said Kubica's agent Daniele Morelli.
Renault said in a statement that Kubica had been able to move his fingers and had talked to his relatives.
"He was briefly woken up by the doctors," said the Renault statement.
"He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process.

"In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least.
"Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days."
Pole Kubica crashed after his car hit a church wall as he approached the start of the Ronde di Andora rally and it was reported that his Formula 1 career could be at risk as a consequence of the injuries.
The 26-year-old, who finished eighth in the drivers' table last season, was in an induced coma overnight after seven hours of surgery before waking on Monday morning.
"Kubica is conscious, he talks and understands what has happened," said Dr Giorgio Barabino.
"The first thing he thought about was his co-driver and was informed about his condition.
"Things are going well considering that there was substantial damage. There were huge difficulties we faced and the necessary measures were taken immediately.
"Kubica lost a lot of blood, that is why the first hour was critical. He was unconscious and could not be operated on when he arrived at the hospital. He needed many transfusions during the stabilising process as well as during the very long surgery."

We need at least six days to check if the circulation of the blood in the limb responds as it should
Professor Mario Igor Rossello
Professor Mario Igor Rossello was part of the surgery team and said it would take a week to determine if the operation had been a complete success.
"The hand is warm and this means the operation went well," said Rosello.
"It was a difficult operation. We need at least six days to check if the circulation of the blood in the limb responds as it should."
Renault team boss Eric Boullier, who is due to visit Kubica along with the driver's team-mate Vitaly Petrov, told the BBC on Monday: "When you have a big crash like Robert suffered on Sunday, doctors always predict the worst-case scenario.
"Definitely he took seven hours in the surgery room to repair his hand and his arm.
"This morning it was really fine - they needed 24 hours to make sure he recovered completely and it looks like this morning they are all happy.
"He is definitely out for a couple of months. The recovery will be quicker than one year but it is a bit early to know exactly how long he will need."
Kubica was reportedly trapped in his car for more than an hour while specialist cutting equipment arrived at the crash scene before he airlifted to the Santa Corona hospital near Genoa, where the operation took place.
Renault have defended Kubica's decision to participate in a rally so close to the start of the F1 season, which begins on 13 March.
"He loves rallying. We knew the risks and so did he," added Boullier told Italian news agency Ansa.
"We didn't want a robot or a corporate man for a driver. It was agreed together."
Renault will decide who will replace Kubica in his absence once they have a better idea of how long it will take for him to recover.
The former driver for the BMW Sauber team regularly competes in rallies and was driving a week after a successful testing session in the new Renault car in Valencia, ahead of the season's opening grand prix in Bahrain.
He had been due to lead the Renault team alongside Russian Petrov, who has a long-term contract after signing for the 2011 and 2012 campaign during the winter.
The reserve drivers for 2011 include Bruno Senna - who raced for Hispania last season - and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who drove for Renault as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009.
"We are already starting to think and work on a contingency plan," added Boullier.
"We don't know yet, we are actually waiting to know how long it will take because [if it is] a short-term replacement we will take one of our reserve drivers; if he has to be longer we may have to consider different options."
It is likely that one of the reserve drivers will be called up for the second pre-season test, which starts in Jerez on Thursday.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9389513.stm has a vid of the damaged car